1 Peter 3:14

1 Peter 3:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
• New International Version (NIV)But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

Context of 1 Peter 3:14

12The Lord’s eyes are on those who do what he approves. His ears hear their prayer. The Lord confronts those who do evil.” 13Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good? But 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. 16Keep your conscience clear. Then those who treat the good Christian life you live with contempt will feel ashamed that they have ridiculed you.

1 Peter 3:14 word by word

ἀλλ᾽ εἰ καὶ πάσχοιτε διὰ δικαιοσύνην, μακάριοι. τὸν δὲ φόβον αὐτῶν μὴ φοβηθῆτε μηδὲ ταραχθῆτε·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butἀλλάalla · butG235
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• ifεἰei · if: even thoughG1487
• ye sufferπάσχωpaschō pathō penthō · to sufferG3958
• forδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• righteousness’ sakeδικαιοσύνηdikaiosunē · righteousnessG1343
• happyμακάριοςmakarios · blessedG3107
• andδέde · thenG1161
• beφοβέωphobeō · to fearG5399
• notμήmē · notG3361
• of theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• terrorφόβοςphobos · fearG5401
• neitherμηδέmēde · norG3366
• be troubledταράσσωtarassō · to troubleG5015

Cross-references for 1 Peter 3:14

• 1 Peter 2:19God is pleased if a person is aware of him while enduring the pains of unjust suffering.
• 1 Peter 4:13but be happy as you share Christ’s sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory.
• Jeremiah 15:15O Lord, you understand. Remember me, take care of me, and take revenge on those who persecute me. Be patient, and don’t take me away. You should know that I’ve been insulted because of you.
• Matthew 5:10Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
• Matthew 10:18Because of me you will even be brought in front of governors and kings to testify to them and to everyone in the world.
• Matthew 16:25Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will find them.
• Matthew 19:29And everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sisters, father, mother, children, or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.
• Mark 8:35Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me and for the Good News will save them.
• Mark 10:29Jesus said, “I can guarantee this truth: Anyone who gave up his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields because of me and the Good News
• Luke 6:22Blessed are you when people hate you, avoid you, insult you, and slander you because you are committed to the Son of Man.
• Acts 9:16I’ll show him how much he has to suffer for the sake of my name.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:10Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong.
• Philippians 1:29God has given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him.
• James 1:12Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
• Isaiah 8:12“Don’t say that everything these people call a conspiracy is a conspiracy. Don’t fear what they fear. Don’t let it terrify you.”
• Isaiah 41:10Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.

Commentaries on 1 Peter 3:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14But and if ye suffer - God may permit you to be tried and persecuted for righteousness' sake, but this cannot essentially harm you; he will press even this into your service, and make it work for your good. Happy are ye - This seems to refer to Matthew 5:10, etc. Blessed or happy, are ye when men persecute you, etc. It is a happiness to suffer for Christ; and it is a happiness, because if a man were not holy and righteous the world would not persecute…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness” sake - Implying that though, in general, a holy character would constitute safety, yet that there was a possibility that they might suffer persecution. Compare the Matthew 5:10 note; 2 Timothy 3:12 note. Happy are ye - Perhaps alluding to what the Saviour says in Matthew 5:10; “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness” sake.” On the meaning of the word happy or blessed, see the notes at Matthew 5:3…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-22Verses 14-22 We sanctify God before others, when our conduct invites and encourages them to glorify and honour him. What was the ground and reason of their hope? We should be able to defend our religion with meekness, in the fear of God. There is no room for any other fears where this great fear is; it disturbs not. The conscience is good, when it does its office well. That person is in a sad condition on whom sin and suffering meet: sin makes suffering…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-15"Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken“: See Isaiah 8:13, where God urges the prophet to fear only the Lord. sanctify Christ as Lord: By showing deep respect and obedience to Christ, they will no longer fear the people who persecute them.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. But and if--"But if even." "The promises of this life extend only so far as it is expedient for us that they should be fulfilled" [Calvin]. So he proceeds to state the exceptions to the promise (1Pe 3:10), and how the truly wise will behave in such exceptional cases. "If ye should suffer"; if it should so happen; "suffer," a milder word than harm. for righteousness--"not the suffering, but the cause for which one suffers, makes the martyr"…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Peter 3:14

• Happiness
• Persecution
• Quotations and Allusions
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

• Adorning
• Chaste
• Contrariwise
• Ornament
• Pitiful
• Quiet
• Railing
• Reason
• Spirit
• Terror

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