1 Peter 3 · Verse 9

1 Peter 3:9

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9, King James Version

1 Peter 3:9 in other translations

BSBDo not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
WEBnot rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
ASVnot rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
YLTnot giving back evil for evil, or railing for railing, and on the contrary, blessing, having known that to this ye were called, that a blessing ye may inherit;
DARBYnot rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but on the contrary, blessing others, because ye have been called to this, that ye should inherit blessing.
BBENot giving back evil for evil, or curse for curse, but in place of cursing, blessing; because this is the purpose of God for you that you may have a heritage of blessing.
WebsterNot rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but on the contrary, blessing; knowing that ye are called to this, that ye should inherit a blessing.

What does 1 Peter 3:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. evil--in deed. railing--in word. blessing--your revilers; participle, not a noun after "rendering." knowing that--The oldest manuscripts read merely, "because." are--Greek, "were called." inherit a blessing--not only passive, but also active; receiving spiritual blessing from God by faith, and in your turn blessing others from love [Gerhard in Alford]. "It is not in order to inherit a blessing that we must bless, but because our portion is blessing." No railing can injure you (1Pe 3:13). Imitate God who "blesses" you. The first fruits of His blessing for eternity are enjoyed by the righteous even now (1Pe 3:10) [Bengel].

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. Not rendering evil for evil. Mt 5:39 Mt 5:44; Rom 12:17.

Or railing for railing. 1Timm 6:4. Comp. Mk 15:29, Lk 23:39.

But contrariwise blessing. In a spirit contrary to this. Mt 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 fitted to cause our hearts to overflow with benignity, to make us ready to forgave all others when they forgive 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 harbour malice in his bosom? Why should he wish to injure a fellow-worm? How can he?

(c) "rendering evil for evil" Mt 5:44, Eph 4:32.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
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.

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 3:9 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.

μὴmēnotG3361
ἀποδιδόντεςapodidontesrepayingG591
κακὸνkakonevilG2556
ἀντὶantiforG473
κακοῦkakouevilG2556
ἢēorG2228
λοιδορίανloidorianinsultG3059
ἀντὶantiforG473
λοιδορίας,loidoriasinsult,G3059
τοὐναντίονtounantionon the contraryG5121
δὲdehoweverG1161
εὐλογοῦντεςeulogountesblessingG2127
εἰδότες,eidotesknowing
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
εἰςeistoG1519
τοῦτοtoutothisG3778
ἐκλήθητεeklēthēteyou were calledG2564
ἵναinaso thatG2443
εὐλογίανeulogianblessingG2129
κληρονομήσητε.klēronomēsēteyou may inherit.G2816

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

Cross references for 1 Peter 3:9

  • Romans 12:17

    Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

  • Proverbs 20:22

    Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

  • Romans 12:14

    Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

  • Romans 12:19-21

    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

  • 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.

  • Luke 6:27-29

    But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

  • Matthew 5:44

    But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

  • Proverbs 17:13

    Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

  • Matthew 5:39

    But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

  • Ephesians 4:32

    And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  • 1 Peter 2:20-23

    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. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

  • 1 Corinthians 4:12-13

    And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
rendering.
2:20-23; Pr 17:13; 20:22; Mt 5:39,44; Lu 6:27-29; Ro 12:14,17,19-21
1Co 4:12,13; Eph 4:32; 1Th 5:15
called.
2:21; 5:10; Ro 8:28,30
that.
Mt 19:29; 25:34; Mr 10:17; Lu 10:25; 18:18

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

Context

  • 1 Peter 3:8

    Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

  • 1 Peter 3:9

    Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

  • 1 Peter 3:10

    For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Read all of 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No volviendo mal por mal, ni maldición por maldición, sino antes por el contrario, bendiciendo; sabiendo que vosotros sois llamados para que poseáis bendición en herencia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		ne rendant pas mal pour mal, ou outrage pour outrage, mais au contraire bénissant, parce que vous avez été appelés à ceci, c’est que vous héritiez de la bénédiction;
German
Elberfelder 1871		und vergeltet nicht Böses mit Bösem, oder Scheltwort mit Scheltwort, sondern im Gegenteil segnet, weil ihr dazu berufen worden seid, daß ihr Segen ererbet.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		non reddentes malum pro malo, nec maledictum pro maledicto, sed e contrario benedicentes: quia in hoc vocati estis, ut benedictionem hæreditate possideatis.