1 Peter 3:17 kjv
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 3:17 nkjv
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:17 niv
For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:17 esv
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:17 nlt
Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
1 Peter 3 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 5:10-12 | "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake... | Rejoicing in righteous suffering. |
| Lk 6:22-23 | "Blessed are you when people hate you... for the Son of Man's sake." | Persecution for Christ is blessed. |
| Acts 5:41 | Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. | Rejoicing in suffering for Christ. |
| Rom 8:17 | And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him... | Co-suffering with Christ for glory. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | God's purpose in all circumstances, including suffering. |
| Phil 1:29 | For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake... | Suffering for Christ is a divine gift. |
| Col 1:24 | Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions... | Suffering for the body of Christ. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | Persecution is expected for the godly. |
| Heb 10:35 | Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. | Endurance in suffering leads to reward. |
| Heb 11:35-38 | Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life... destitute, afflicted, mistreated... | Examples of faith enduring intense suffering. |
| Heb 12:2-3 | Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross... | Christ's example of suffering with purpose. |
| Heb 12:5-11 | It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons... | Suffering can be God's loving discipline. |
| Jas 1:2-4 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. | Joy and growth through trials. |
| 1 Pet 2:20 | For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. | Direct parallel, distinguishing suffering for good vs. evil. |
| 1 Pet 2:21-23 | For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example... | Christ's suffering as a pattern for believers. |
| 1 Pet 4:1 | Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking... | Identification with Christ's suffering. |
| 4:12 | Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. | Suffering is an expected test for believers. |
| 4:15-16 | But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief... But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed... | Clear distinction in the nature of suffering. |
| 4:19 | Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. | Committing to God while suffering righteously. |
| Job 2:10 | Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? | Accepting all from God's hand. |
| Psa 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. | Affirmation of righteous suffering. |
| Rev 2:10 | Do not fear what you are about to suffer... Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. | Endurance to the end for reward. |
1 Peter 3 verses
1 Peter 3 17 Meaning
First Peter 3:17 declares that it is morally and spiritually superior, and even aligned with God's divine purpose, for a believer to suffer consequences or affliction while engaged in righteous conduct (doing good) rather than to suffer justly for committing evil deeds. This verse underscores God's sovereignty over all circumstances, including suffering, and distinguishes between meaningful suffering that can bring glory to God and meaningless suffering that results from sin.
1 Peter 3 17 Context
First Peter 3:17 is embedded within a section of Peter’s epistle that provides practical instructions for Christian living in a hostile world, emphasizing submissive conduct and readiness for suffering. Specifically, it follows a passage on the importance of living honorably, pursuing peace, and always being prepared to articulate the hope they possess (1 Pet 3:8-16).
Peter has consistently reminded his audience, who were "exiles of the Dispersion" (1 Pet 1:1), of their calling to live as God's holy people amidst pagan societies. He had earlier exhorted them to maintain good conduct among Gentiles "so that in the very thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may by your good deeds as they observe them glorify God" (1 Pet 2:12). This verse directly builds upon that idea by reinforcing that if suffering comes, it is better for it to be for righteousness, which aligns with God’s purpose, rather than for wrongdoing. It offers encouragement and validation to believers facing unfair accusation and persecution, affirming the superior value and divine alignment of suffering for Christ's sake.
1 Peter 3 17 Word analysis
- For it is better (κρεῖττον γὰρ – kreitton gar): The Greek word kreitton means "superior," "more excellent," or "better." It implies a qualitative distinction and preference, not just a slight improvement. The conjunction gar ("for") introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding exhortations, especially concerning readiness to suffer.
- if God should will it so (εἰ θέλοι τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ – ei theloi to thelēma tou Theou): This phrase highlights the divine sovereignty involved. It implies that suffering for doing good is not a random occurrence but can sometimes be part of God's sovereign will and purpose for believers. The subjunctive theloi (from thelō, "to will") and the noun thelēma ("will") emphasize God's purposeful design rather than an unwilling permission. It is a conditional statement; suffering for good is better if it aligns with God's intention, not that God always wills suffering for good.
- to suffer (πάσχειν – paschein): This verb means "to experience," "to endure," or "to suffer hardship." It is a key word throughout 1 Peter, signifying affliction, pain, and persecution that Christians might face. Peter repeatedly points to Christ as the ultimate example of one who suffered righteously.
- for doing good (ἀγαθοποιοῦντας – agathopoiountas): This is a present participle, meaning "doing good continually" or "practicing good." It describes the active lifestyle of believers who are living out their faith through righteous deeds, charity, and ethical conduct. It contrasts sharply with the passive reception of punishment.
- than for doing evil (ἢ κακοποιοῦντας – ē kakopoiountas): The comparative particle ē means "than." The word kakopoiountas (present participle from kakopoieō) means "doing evil," "harming," or "acting wickedly." This part of the verse explicitly draws a moral and spiritual distinction. Suffering for genuine wrongdoing (e.g., as a criminal) brings no divine commendation or blessing.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "For it is better, if God should will it so": This phrase introduces the central premise that the nature of suffering matters significantly. It affirms that while suffering itself is not inherently good, suffering that is aligned with God’s sovereign will and results from righteous living carries immense value and superiority over any other kind of suffering. It frames such suffering as potentially purposed by God.
- "to suffer for doing good than for doing evil": This clarifies the specific type of suffering Peter commends. It establishes a binary choice, elevating suffering for one's good deeds (i.e., for being a Christian, for living righteously) above suffering that is justly deserved as punishment for wrongdoing. This distinction was vital for early Christians, often slandered and accused of various evils, affirming that their true suffering was honourable in God's sight.
1 Peter 3 17 Bonus section
The idea that suffering for good is a preferred path for the believer echoes broader biblical themes where God often uses trials to refine, test, and sanctify His people. Such suffering, when aligned with God's will, demonstrates true faith, solidifies Christian witness, and draws believers closer to Christ’s own experience of unmerited suffering (1 Pet 2:21-23). It underscores that while sin leads to shame and deserved punishment, righteousness, even when it attracts earthly opposition, leads to divine commendation and a blessed outcome. The conditional phrase "if God should will it so" prevents fatalism, asserting that not all suffering is automatically part of God's positive will, but when it is, particularly when stemming from righteous living, it carries deep spiritual significance and ultimate blessing. This understanding fortified believers against apostasy and encouraged perseverance in the face of widespread social pressures and governmental opposition in the Roman Empire.
1 Peter 3 17 Commentary
First Peter 3:17 is a cornerstone of Christian teaching on suffering, encapsulating a vital ethical and theological distinction. It articulates that the quality of one's suffering is determined by its cause. For believers, to endure hardship because of their righteous conduct, or because they are faithful to Christ, is infinitely preferable and carries greater divine approval than to suffer the just consequences of their own sin. This perspective offers profound encouragement to those experiencing persecution or difficulty not due to their misdeeds, but because of their faithfulness to Christ. It shifts the perception of suffering from a negative, shameful experience to a potentially honorable and purposeful one, divinely affirmed and superior. Such suffering not only aligns the believer with Christ's own path of righteous suffering but also purifies faith and glorifies God.
Examples for practical usage:
- A Christian being ridiculed or facing professional setbacks specifically because of their faith and refusal to compromise their biblical principles.
- A believer extending help to others and suffering personal cost or misunderstanding as a result of their charitable actions.