1 Peter 3:9

Contextual Overview

⁸Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. ⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁸ Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, ⁸ Finally, Be ye all of one mind, sympathizing with each other, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: ⁸ In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize, kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, ⁸ Finally be ye all of one minde, hauing compassion one of another, loue as brethren, be pitifull, be courteous, ⁸ And, finally, be all of one mind, sympathetic, loving the brothers, tenderhearted, friendly, ⁸ But in conclusion be ye all of one mynde, one suffre with another, loue as brethren, be pitefull, be curteous. ⁸ In a word, live all of you in perfect agreement and sympathy, be full of fraternal love, compassion, and affability. ⁸Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

rendering: 1 Peter 2:20-23, Proverbs 17:13, Proverbs 20:22, Matthew 5:39, Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-29, Romans 12:14, Romans 12:17, Romans 12:19-21, 1 Corinthians 4:12, 1 Corinthians 4:13, Ephesians 4:32, 1 Thessalonians 5:15

called: 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 5:10, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:30

that: Matthew 19:29, Matthew 25:34, Mark 10:17, Luke 10:25, Luke 18:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:25 - and thus Genesis 50:21 - I will nourish Leviticus 9:22 - his hand Joshua 7:19 - My son Judges 1:15 - a blessing 1 Samuel 17:29 - General 1 Samuel 25:21 - Surely Job 31:30 - have Psalms 3:8 - thy blessing Psalms 24:5 - receive Psalms 115:15 - blessed Proverbs 26:4 - General Proverbs 31:26 - in her Matthew 5:22 - Whosoever Matthew 26:52 - Put Luke 6:28 - Bless Luke 9:55 - Ye know Luke 23:34 - Father John 13:34 - That ye love John 17:21 - they all Acts 3:26 - sent Acts 26:25 - I am not Romans 12:10 - kindly Romans 12:21 - General 1 Corinthians 1:10 - that ye 1 Corinthians 6:7 - Why Ephesians 1:11 - we Ephesians 1:18 - his calling Ephesians 4:1 - vocation Philippians 2:2 - that 1 Thessalonians 2:12 - who 1 Timothy 6:12 - whereunto James 3:10 - of 1 Peter 1:4 - an 2 Peter 1:3 - called Revelation 21:7 - inherit

Cross-References

Genesis 3:12
The man said, "The woman you put here with me-she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."

Genesis 3:12
The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."

Genesis 3:12
The man said, "The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate."

Genesis 3:12
And Adam seide, The womman which thou yauest felowe to me, yaf me of the tre, and Y eet.

Genesis 3:12
And the man said, The woman whom thou gauest to be with mee, shee gaue me of the tree, and I did eate.

Genesis 3:12
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Genesis 3:12
Then sayde Adam: The woman which thou gauest me (to beare me company) gaue me of the tre, and I ate.

Genesis 3:12
The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it." God said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"

Genesis 3:12
The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me some of the fruit of the tree, and I ate."

Genesis 3:12
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Not rendering evil for evil,.... Doing an ill thing in return to one that has done ill to you, and in a way of revenge for it; which is contrary to what is before advised to, and which is taking God's prerogative and work out of his hands, whose vengeance is, and which is to be overcome of evil:

or railing for railing; returning ill language to such as have given it, but rather should imitate Christ, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, 1 Peter 2:23 and whose advice is, instead of returning injuries, blows, or words, to turn to him that smites on the right check the other also and to bless them that curse, do good to them that hate, and pray for them that persecute, Matthew 5:39 and which is here directed to:

but contrariwise blessing; praying for a blessing on them; for if we are to do so for our enemies, for them that hate us, despitefully use and persecute us, as did Christ, Stephen the protomartyr, and the apostles, then much more our fellow Christians who may do us an injury or speak evil of us, or to us: who seem to be chiefly intended: the argument to persuade to it follows,

knowing that ye are thereunto called; referring either to what goes before being called by grace to the discharge of all the above duties exhorted to, and particularly to suffer patiently all injuries and affronts; and instead of making returns in the same way, to bless and pray for those that have hurt us, either by words or deeds; see 1 Peter 2:20 or to what follows, that ye should inherit a blessing; temporal blessing or blessings; for godliness has the promise of this life and godly persons shall not want any good thing; and even while the blessings of others are cursed they have their outward mercies with a blessing, and they are blessings indeed to them; wherefore, the little they may have is better than the large affluence of others: and also spiritual blessing, or blessings; such as peace of conscience, the pardon of all their sins a justifying righteousness adopting grace, all supplies of grace from Christ, his presence and communion with him: and also an eternal one, even life for evermore; called so, because it springs from the free favour, good will, and blessing of God, and which its being an inheritance also shows; and because such that enjoy it are eternally and unspeakably happy.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Not rendering evil for evil - See the Matthew 5:39, Matthew 5:44 notes; Romans 12:17 note.

Or railing for railing - See the notes at 1 Timothy 6:4. Compare Mark 15:29; Luke 23:39.

But contrariwise blessing - In a spirit contrary to this. See the notes at Matthew 5:44.

Knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing - “Knowing that you were called to be Christians in order that you should obtain a blessing infinite and eternal in the heavens. Expecting such a blessing yourselves, you should be ready to scatter blessings on all others. You should be ready to bear all their reproaches, and even to wish them well. The hope of eternal life should make your minds calm; and the prospect that you are to be so exalted in heaven should fill your hearts with benignity and love.” There is nothing which is better suited to cause our hearts to overflow with benignity, to make us ready to forgive all others when they injure us, than the hope of salvation. Cherishing such a hope ourselves, we cannot but wish that all others may share it, and this will lead us to wish for them every blessing, A man who has a hope of heaven should abound in every virtue. and show that he is a sincere well-wisher of the race. Why should one who expects soon to be in heaven harbor malice in his bosom? Why should he wish to injure a fellow-worm? How can he?

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 9. Not rendering evil for evil — Purposing, saying, doing nothing but good; and invariably returning good for evil.

Ye are thereunto called — This is your calling-your business in life, to do good, and to do good for evil, and to implore God's blessing even on your worst enemies. And this is not only your duty, but your interest; for in so doing you shall obtain God's blessing, even life for evermore.