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1 Peter 3:9–12
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (v. 9).
Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, a humble mind—these things result when church members properly submit to one another, prioritizing the needs of others (1 Peter 3:8; see Eph. 5:21). Having addressed relationships within the church, Peter in today’s passage returns to the subject of how believers are to relate to those outside the covenant community.
As 1 Peter 3:8 dealt with the general kind of submission that believers are to practice with other believers, verses 9–12 address the general kind of submission that believers are to practice in their relationships with non-Christians, particularly when they are reviled or otherwise mistreated. Peter tells us first of all that we are not to repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling (v. 9). Once again, Jesus serves as our example here; the Apostle has already reminded us that when Jesus was reviled, He did not respond in kind (2:23). Peter’s instructions also mirror Jesus’ counsel in Matthew 5:38–39 to turn the other cheek by not insulting those who insult us. As we have noted in past studies, this guidance does not mean that Christians must never avail themselves of their legal rights or can never otherwise seek to protect themselves from abuse. The point is that the believer’s first impulse should not be retaliation and that we should avoid responding in kind unless it is necessary to protect others from harm.
It is our duty not to respond to mistreatment in kind, but Peter gives us an additional motive to follow these instructions by promising blessing to those who do so. Quoting Psalm 34:12–16, the Apostle promises that life and “good days” will come to those who turn away from evil and keep their tongues from deceit, to those who do not respond to evil with evil. Our turning from evil is connected to our receiving our final reward in glory. We do not earn eternal blessing by our good works, but good works form the path that all those who have been saved by grace alone through faith alone follow (Rom. 8:12–17; James 2:14–26). Those who flagrantly and impenitently disobey God cannot assume that they have actually trusted in Christ.
The early church father John Chrysostom comments on today’s passage that “if a man is wise, he will put [bad thoughts] aside and in their place choose thoughts which will be advantageous and profitable for him.” Walking the path of good works, of godly nonretaliation, begins with the renewal of the mind, with learning the ways of God in Scripture (Rom. 12:1–2).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Dr. R.C. Sproul comments that “when we return good for evil and blessings for cursing, we stockpile an inheritance of blessing.” The more that we pursue godly nonretaliation and do good to those who have done us ill, the greater blessing that we will enjoy in eternity.
For further study
- Proverbs 25:21–22
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
The bible in a year
- 2 Kings 15–17
- John 6:22–59
- 2 Kings 18–22
- John 6:60–7:36