1 Peter 3:17

1 Peter 3:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
• New International Version (NIV)For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Context of 1 Peter 3:17

15Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, 16yet with humility and reverence—keeping a clear conscience so that, whatever you are accused of, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Messiah may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good (if it is God’s will) than for doing evil. 18For Messiah once suffered for sins also—the righteous for the unrighteous—in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Ruach. 19Through the Ruach He also went and preached to the spirits in prison.

1 Peter 3:17 word by word

κρεῖττον γὰρ ἀγαθοποιοῦντας, εἰ θέλοι τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ, πάσχειν ἢ κακοποιοῦντας·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• the willὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the willθέλημαthelēma · will/desireG2307
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• be soθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• that ye sufferπάσχωpaschō pathō penthō · to sufferG3958
• for well doingἀγαθοποιέωagathopoieō · to do goodG15
• thanἤē · orG2228
• for evil doingκακοποιέωkakopoieō · to do evil/harmG2554

Cross-references for 1 Peter 3:17

• 1 Peter 4:19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will—let them trust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.
• Matthew 26:39Going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me! Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
• Acts 21:14Since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, saying only, “May the Lord’s will be done.”
• 1 Peter 3:14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid or worry about their threats.

Commentaries on 1 Peter 3:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17For it is better - See on 1 Peter 2:19, 1 Peter 2:20; (note).Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17For it is better, if the will of God be so - That is, if God sees it to be necessary for your good that you should suffer, it is better that you should suffer for doing well than for crime. God often sees it to be necessary that his people should suffer. There are effects to be accomplished by affliction which can be secured in no other way; and some of the happiest results on the soul of a Christian, some of the brightest traits of character, are the…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. 13-17This short paragraph emphasizes how Christians should respond to suffering by following Christ's example (see 3:18).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. better--One may object, I would not bear it so ill if I had deserved it. Peter replies, it is better that you did not deserve it, in order that doing well and yet being spoken against, you may prove yourself a true Christian [Gerhard]. if the will of God be so--rather as the optative is in the oldest manuscripts, "if the will of God should will it so." Those who honor God's will as their highest law (1Pe 2:15) have the comfort to know that suffering…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Peter 3:17

• Commandments
• Example
• Persecution

In the dictionaries

• God
• will of God
• Adorning
• Chaste
• Contrariwise
• Ornament
• Pitiful
• Quiet
• Railing
• Reason

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