1 Peter 3:13-18

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. 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.”

Verse 13: Believers are called to live a life characterized by doing good. When we are eager to do good we walk in alignment with the Spirit within us. Notice the language: Believers are eager to do good. This is because we have a new heart.

Verse 14: Believers are assured of God’s blessing even in the face of suffering or persecution for doing what is right. We are encouraged not to fear the threats or intimidation of others, knowing that our ultimate security and identity are found in Christ. We can trust in His faithfulness and find comfort in His presence, even in difficult circumstances.

Verse 15: Believers are called to revere Christ as Lord in their hearts. This means recognizing his indwelling lordship. We know Christ as lord, and we can live from this. We are also encouraged to be prepared to share the reason for the hope that we have in Christ. This is not about forcefully imposing our beliefs on others, but rather about being ready to give a gentle and respectful response when asked. Our testimony and the way we live our lives can be a powerful witness to the transformative work of Christ.

Verse 16: Believers are called to live with a clear conscience. This means living in alignment with our new identity in Christ and seeking to honor him in all that we do. When we live in this way, those who speak maliciously against us or our faith may be convicted by their own slander. Our consistent and Christ-like behavior can challenge their accusations and potentially lead them to reconsider their opposition.

Verse 17: Believers are reminded that suffering for doing good is better than suffering for doing evil. While suffering is not something we seek or desire, when we suffer for doing what is right, we can have confidence that we are aligning ourselves with God’s will. Our willingness to endure hardship for the sake of righteousness reflects our trust in God’s sovereignty and His ultimate purposes.

Verse 18: We are reminded of the ultimate example of Christ’s suffering on our behalf. Jesus, the righteous one, willingly suffered and died for the sins of the unrighteous, bringing us into a restored relationship with God. Through His death and resurrection, He conquered sin and death, and through faith in him, we are made alive in the Spirit. This truth reminds us of the incredible love and sacrifice of Christ and the secure position we have in him. As believers, we can find comfort and strength in knowing that Christ has already endured suffering on our behalf. We are united with him in His death and resurrection, and this reality shapes our perspective on suffering. We can trust that God is with us in our trials, and He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Our hope is not in avoiding suffering, but in knowing that Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33) and that our ultimate victory is secured in him.