Suffering for Doing Good

Peter begins with marriage. Wives might win unbelieving husbands without a word, by their pure behavior. Their beauty should not be merely outward, but the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. Husbands should live with their wives according to knowledge, giving them honor as joint heirs of the grace of life, so that their prayers will not be hindered.

Peter then addresses all believers. Be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous. Do not render evil for evil, or insult for insult, but instead bless, because you were called to inherit a blessing. He quotes Psalm 34: He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer.

Who will harm you if you are eager for good? Even if they suffer for righteousness, believers are blessed. Peter writes, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear. It is better to suffer for doing right than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. Peter recalls the ark, in which eight souls were saved through water, and connects this with baptism, which saves through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ is now at the right hand of God, with angels and powers subject to him.