1 Peter 3 · Verse 17

1 Peter 3:17

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 3:17, King James Version

1 Peter 3:17 in other translations

BSBFor it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
WEBFor it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing what is right than for doing evil.
ASVFor it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.
YLTfor it is better doing good, if the will of God will it, to suffer, than doing evil;
DARBYFor it is better, if the will of God should will it, to suffer as well-doers than as evildoers;
BBEBecause if it is God's purpose for you to undergo pain, it is better to do so for well-doing than for evil-doing.
WebsterFor it is better, if the will of God is so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing.

What does 1 Peter 3:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. better--One may object, I would not bear it so ill if I had deserved it. Peter replies, it is better that you did not deserve it, in order that doing well and yet being spoken against, you may prove yourself a true Christian [Gerhard]. if the will of God be so--rather as the optative is in the oldest manuscripts, "if the will of God should will it so." Those who honor God's will as their highest law (1Pe 2:15) have the comfort to know that suffering is God's appointment (1Pe 4:19). So Christ Himself; our inclination does not wish it.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. For it is better, if the will of God be so. That is, if God sees it to be necessary for your good that you should suffer, it is better that you should suffer for doing well than for crime. God often sees it to be necessary that his people should suffer. There are effects to be accomplished by affliction which can be secured in no other way; and some of the happiest results on the soul of a Christian, some of the brightest traits of character, are the effect of trials. But it should be our care that our sufferings should not be brought upon us for our own crimes or follies. No man can promote his own highest good by doing wrong, and then enduring the penalty which his sin incurs; and no one should do wrong with any expectation that it may be overruled for his own good. If we are to suffer, let it be by the direct hand of God, and not by any fault of our own. If we suffer then, we shall have the testimony of our own conscience in our favour, and the feeling that we may go to God for support. If we suffer for our faults, in addition to the outwar& pain of body, we shall endure the severest pangs which man can suffer--those which the guilty mind inflicts on itself.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 For it is better - See on 1Pet 2:19, 1Pet 2:20 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 3:14-22

We sanctify God before others, when our conduct invites and encourages them to glorify and honour him. What was the ground and reason of their hope? We should be able to defend our religion with meekness, in the fear of God. There is no room for any other fears where this great fear is; it disturbs not. The conscience is good, when it does its office well. That person is in a sad condition on whom sin and suffering…

Read the full comment on 1 Peter 3:14-22 →

1 Peter 3:17 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.

κρεῖττονkreitton[It is] betterG2908
γὰρgarforG1063
ἀγαθοποιοῦντας,agathopoiountasdoing goodG15
εἰeiifG1487
θέλοιtheloione would desireG2309
τὸtotheG3588
θέλημαthelēmawillG2307
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ,theouof God,G2316
πάσχεινpascheinto sufferG3958
ἢēthanG2228
κακοποιοῦντας·kakopoiountasdoing evil;G2554

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

Cross references for 1 Peter 3:17

  • 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;

  • 1 Peter 4:19

    Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

  • Matthew 26:39

    And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

  • 1 Peter 2:15

    For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

  • 1 Peter 2:20

    For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

  • Matthew 26:42

    He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

  • Acts 21:14

    And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

  • 1 Peter 4:15

    But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
if.
4:19; Mt 26:39,42; Ac 21:14
suffer.
14

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

Context

  • 1 Peter 3:16

    Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

  • 1 Peter 3:17

    For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Read all of 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque mejor es que padezcáis haciendo bien, si la voluntad de Dios así lo quiere, que haciendo mal.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car il vaut mieux, si la volonté de Dieu le voulait, souffrir en faisant le bien, qu’en faisant le mal;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn es ist besser, wenn der Wille Gottes es will, für Gutestun zu leiden, als für Bösestun.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Melius est enim benefacientes (si voluntas Dei velit) pati, quam malefacientes.