Chapter
1 2 3 4 5
Verse

1 Peter 3:14

ESV But even if you should suffer for righteousness ' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
NIV But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened."
NASB But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE IN DREAD,
CSB But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated,
NLT But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
KJV But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
NKJV But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

What does 1 Peter 3:14 mean?

Peter follows the question of the previous verse—who will harm you if you are eager to do good—with the acknowledgement that Christians may very well suffer for the sake of righteousness. Christians performing good deeds in the name of Jesus may, in fact, be harmed for that very reason. Peter is writing to a group of Christians who probably experienced intense suffering for Christ. Others, reading Peter's words today, certainly have suffered for the faith. Peter himself was persecuted and killed for Christ's sake.

Thus far in his letter, Peter has made several things abundantly clear. Christians have a secure and abundant future with the Father in eternity. Christians are called to live differently from the world. We are to lead good lives, now, for the sake of Jesus. Jesus, our example, suffered for our benefit, so we should not be surprised to suffer for His sake. In fact, in this verse, Peter writes that to suffer in that way is to be blessed. It is a privilege.

Peter then references Isaiah 8:12, a passage about fearing God rather than men. As Christians, we are called to refuse our natural instinct to be afraid of those who might hurt us for our faith in Christ. We are told to reject our anxiety. The next verse reveals what we should do, instead of falling into fear.
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