Request your free, three-month trial to Tabletalk magazine. You’ll receive the print issue monthly and gain immediate digital access to decades of archives. This trial is risk-free. No credit card required.
Try Tabletalk NowAlready receive Tabletalk magazine every month?
Verify your email address to gain unlimited access.
1 Peter 3:13–14
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.”
First Peter’s original audience was clearly suffering because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, for the epistle references Christian suffering throughout and provides guidance for how to suffer well. Peter even states that Christians are called to suffer to maintain our witness to the truth of the Savior, with Jesus serving as our example of how to suffer in a godly manner (1 Peter 2:20–23). In today’s passage, Peter takes up again the topic of suffering for the sake of righteousness.
The Apostle asks, “Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” (3:13). It is a rhetorical question, and the expected answer is “no one.” We need to inquire, however, whether Peter is asking about the present or the future. Is Peter’s point that few non-Christians will bother us if we are doing good and will come after us only if we do what is not good? Or does he mean that no one can ultimately harm Christians because God will vindicate us at the last day and preserve us from eternal destruction? Both points are true, though the first option is more of a general truth and not a rule for all times and places. John Calvin observes that “though this commonly happens [that non-Christians leave alone Christians who do good], yet it is not always the case; for the children of God, how much soever they may strive to pacify the ungodly by kindness, and show themselves kind towards all, are yet often assailed undeservedly by many.”
Since the immediate context has in view final judgment and reward (3:9–12), 1 Peter 3:13 more likely means that nothing can ultimately harm us if we do good—that while believers might suffer in the short term, nothing can separate us eternally from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:31–39). Ultimately, we will reign over creation alongside Christ (2 Tim. 2:12). First Peter 3:14 confirms this, for the Apostle says that we are blessed even if someone harms us for doing good. This must refer to final judgment, for we are not always rewarded in this life for the good that we do and the suffering that it can bring. Augustine of Hippo aptly comments, “If you love the good, you will suffer no loss, because whatever you may be deprived of in this world, you will never lose God, who is the true Good.” Seeking first the kingdom of God may lead us into suffering, but all who truly seek the kingdom receive it, and everything else besides, on that final day (Matt. 6:33).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Because God is for us in Christ, we need not fear what man can do to us if we are faithful to Him. Remembering that God and His help are enough for all the difficulties that we face and the suffering that we endure will assist us in remaining faithful to our Creator. John Calvin comments, “If this conviction takes full possession of our minds, that the help promised by the Lord is sufficient for us, we shall be well fortified to repel all the fears of unbelief.”
For further study
- Psalm 46
- Isaiah 49:22–26
- Matthew 5:10
- Romans 8:18
The bible in a year
- 2 Kings 23–24
- John 7:37–52