1 Peter 3 · Verse 13

1 Peter 3:13

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1 Peter 3:13, King James Version

1 Peter 3:13 in other translations

BSBWho can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
WEBNow who will harm you if you become imitators of that which is good?
ASVAnd who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good?
YLTand who is he who will be doing you evil, if of Him who is good ye may become imitators?
DARBYAnd who shall injure you if ye have become imitators of that which is good?
BBEWho will do you any damage if you keep your minds fixed on what is good?
WebsterAnd who is he that will harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good?

What does 1 Peter 3:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. who ... will harm you--This fearless confidence in God's protection from harm, Christ, the Head, in His sufferings realized; so His members. if ye be--Greek, "if ye have become." followers--The oldest manuscripts read "emulous," "zealous of" (Tit 2:14). good--The contrast in Greek is, "Who will do you evil, if ye be zealous of good?"

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? This question is meant to imply, that as a general thing they need apprehend no evil if they lead an upright and benevolent life. The idea is, that God would in general protect them, though the next verse shows that the apostle did not mean to teach that there would be absolute security, for it is implied there that they might be called to suffer for righteousness' sake. While it is true that the Saviour was persecuted by wicked men, though his life was wholly spent in doing good; while it is true that the apostles were put to death, though following his example; and while it is true that good men have often suffered persecution, though labouring only to do good, still it is true as a general thing that a life of integrity and benevolence conduces to safety, even in a wicked world. Men who are upright and pure; who live to do good to others; who are characteristically benevolent; and who are imitators of God--are those who usually pass life in most tranquillity and security, and are often safe when nothing else would give security but confidence in their integrity. A man of a holy and pure life may, under the protection of God, rely on that character to carry him safely through the world, and to bring him at last to an honoured grave. Or should he be calumniated when living, and his sun set under a cloud, still his name will be vindicated, and justice will ultimately be done to him when he is dead. The world ultimately judges right respecting character, and renders "honour to whom honour is due." Comp. Ps 37:3-6.

(a) "who is he" Prov 16:7, Rom 8:28

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 Who is he that will harm you - Is it possible that a man can be wretched who has God for his friend? "All the devices which the devil or wicked men work against such must be brought to naught, and by the providence of his goodness be dispersed." If ye be followers, etc. - Εαν Του Αγαθου μιμηται γενησθε· If ye be imitators of the good One, i.e. of God. Ὁ Αγαθος, the good One, is one of God's prime epithets, see Mat 19:17, and Satan is distinguished by the reverse, ὁ πονηρος, the Evil one, Mat 13:19 (note). Instead of μιμηται, followers, or rather imitators, ζηλωται, zealous of what is good, is the reading of ABC, fifteen others, both the Syriac, Erpen's Arabic, the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian and Vulgate, with some of the fathers. This is a very probable reading, and Griesbach has placed it in the margin as a candidate for the place of that in the text.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 3:8-13

Though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet they should have compassion one of another, and love as brethren. If any man desires to live comfortably on earth, or to possess eternal life in heaven, he must bridle his tongue from wicked, abusive, or deceitful words. He must forsake and keep far from evil actions, do all the good he can, and seek peace with all men. For God, all-wise and every…

Read the full comment on 1 Peter 3:8-13 →

1 Peter 3:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαὶKaiAndG2532
τίςtiswho [is]G5101
ὁhohe whoG3588
κακώσωνkakōsōnwill harmG2559
ὑμᾶς,humasyou,G4771
ἐὰνeanifG1437
τοῦtoufor that which [is]G3588
ἀγαθοῦagathougoodG18
ζηλωταὶzēlōtaizealousG2207
γένησθε;genēstheyou shall be?G1096

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Peter 3:13

  • Proverbs 16:7

    When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

  • Romans 8:28

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15

    See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

  • 3 John 1:11

    Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

  • Psalms 38:20

    They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:1

    Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

  • Ephesians 5:1

    Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

  • Romans 13:3

    For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

  • 1 Timothy 5:10

    Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

  • Proverbs 15:9

    The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
who.
Pr 16:7; Ro 8:28; 13:3
followers.
Ps 38:20; Pr 15:9; 1Co 14:1; Eph 5:1; 1Th 5:15; 1Ti 5:10; 3Jo 1:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Peter 3:12

    For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

  • 1 Peter 3:13

    And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

  • 1 Peter 3:14

    But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

Read all of 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Y quién es aquel que os podrá dañar, si vosotros seguís el bien?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et qui est-ce qui vous fera du mal, si vous êtes devenus les imitateurs de celui qui est bon?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und wer ist, der euch Böses tun wird, wenn ihr Nachahmer des Guten geworden seid?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et quis est qui vobis noceat, si boni æmulatores fueritis?