God’s Word Translation
1 Peter 3:13
13Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good?
1 Peter 3:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
- New International Version (NIV)Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
- New King James Version (NKJV)And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
Context of 1 Peter 3:13
11They must turn away from evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it. 12The Lord’s eyes are on those who do what he approves. His ears hear their prayer. The Lord confronts those who do evil.” Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good? 14But even if you suffer for doing what God approves, you are blessed. Don’t be afraid of those who want to harm you. Don’t get upset. 15But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence ⌞in God⌟ when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect.
Read all of 1 Peter 31 Peter 3:13 word by word
Καὶ τίς ὁ κακώσων ὑμᾶς, ἐὰν τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ ζηλωταὶ γένησθε;Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Peter 3:13
- Proverbs 16:7When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Romans 8:28We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.
- Romans 13:3People who do what is right don’t have to be afraid of the government. But people who do what is wrong should be afraid of it. Would you like to live without being afraid of the government? Do what is right, and it will praise you.
- Psalms 38:20They pay me back with evil instead of good, and they accuse me because I try to do what is good.
- Proverbs 15:9The way of wicked people is disgusting to the Lord, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
- 1 Corinthians 14:1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of speaking what God has revealed.
- Ephesians 5:1Imitate God, since you are the children he loves.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
- 1 Timothy 5:10People should tell about the good things she has done: raising children, being hospitable, taking care of believers’ needs, helping the suffering, or always doing good things.
- 3 John 1:11Dear friend, never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.
Commentaries on 1 Peter 3:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Who is he that will harm you - Is it possible that a man can be wretched who has God for his friend? "All the devices which the devil or wicked men work against such must be brought to naught, and by the providence of his goodness be dispersed." If ye be followers, etc. - · If ye be imitators of the good One, i.e. of God. ̔ , the good One, is one of God's prime epithets, see Matthew 19:17, and Satan is distinguished by the reverse, ̔ , the Evil one…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? - This question is meant to imply, that as a general thing they need apprehend no evil if they lead an upright and benevolent life. The idea is, that God would in general protect them, though the next verse shows that the apostle did not mean to teach that there would be absolute security, for it is implied there that they might be called to suffer for righteousness” sake. While…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-13Verses 8-13 Though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet they should have compassion one of another, and love as brethren. If any man desires to live comfortably on earth, or to possess eternal life in heaven, he must bridle his tongue from wicked, abusive, or deceitful words. He must forsake and keep far from evil actions, do all the good he can, and seek peace with all men. For God, all-wise and every where present, watches over the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13In general, people do not want to harm someone who is doing good. However, Christians sometimes suffer even when they do good (3:14; see 1:6; 4:12–19).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. who ... will harm you--This fearless confidence in God's protection from harm, Christ, the Head, in His sufferings realized; so His members. if ye be--Greek, "if ye have become." followers--The oldest manuscripts read "emulous," "zealous of" (Tit 2:14). good--The contrast in Greek is, "Who will do you evil, if ye be zealous of good?"Read the comment
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Peter 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries