1 Peter 3:8-22 Commentary
In this passage, Peter continues to explain the importance of living a life of faith, hope, and love, even in the midst of suffering and persecution.
Unity in Suffering (3:8-12)
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
In this section, Peter emphasizes the importance of unity among believers, even in the face of suffering. He encourages them to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble (v. 8). He reminds them that they were called to inherit a blessing, and that they should repay evil with blessing (v. 9).
Peter then quotes from Psalm 34:12-16, which emphasizes the importance of living a life of goodness and seeking peace (vv. 10-11). He concludes by reminding them that God is attentive to the prayers of the righteous, but is against those who do evil (v. 12).
Suffering for Doing Good (3:13-17)
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened."
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
17 For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
In this section, Peter addresses the issue of suffering for doing good. He asks rhetorically, "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?" (v. 13). He reminds them that if they suffer for doing what is right, they are blessed (v. 14).
Peter then encourages them to revere Christ as Lord in their hearts, and to always be prepared to give a reason for their hope (v. 15). They should do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against them may be ashamed of their slander (v. 16).
Suffering and the Will of God (3:18-22)
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—
20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
In this final section, Peter turns to the theme of suffering and the will of God. He reminds them that Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring them to God (v. 18). He explains that Christ was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, and that after being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits (vv. 19-20).
Peter then uses the example of Noah and the flood to illustrate the saving power of baptism, which is not just a physical washing, but a pledge of a clear conscience toward God (v. 21). He concludes by reminding them that Christ has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him (v. 22).
In this passage, Peter emphasizes the importance of living a life of faith, hope, and love, even in the midst of suffering and persecution. He encourages believers to be unified, to do good
