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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 3:8-15

The apostle here passes from special to more general exhortations. I. He teaches us how Christians and friends should treat one another. He advises Christians to be all of one mind, to be unanimous in the belief of the same faith, and the practice of the same duties of religion; and, whereas the Christians at that time were many of them in a suffering condition, he charges them to have compassion one of another, to love as brethren, to pity those who were in distress, and to be courteous to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 3:8-12

3:8-12 Finally, you must all be of one mind; you must have sympathy with each other and you must live in brotherly love; you must be compassionate and humble; you must not return evil for evil, nor insult for insult; on the contrary, you must return blessing; for it was to give and to inherit blessing that you were called. He that would love life, And see good days, Let him keep his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking guile: Let him turn away from evil and do right; Let him... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 3:8-12

(ii) Second, Peter sets sympathy. Here again the whole New Testament urges this duty upon us. We are to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep ( Romans 12:15 ). When one member of the body suffers all the other members suffer with it; and when one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it ( 1 Corinthians 12:26 ), and it must be so with Christians, who are the body of Christ. One thing is clear, sympathy and selfishness cannot coexist. So long as the self... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 3:9

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,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 3:10

For he that will love life ,.... This, with what follows here and in the two next verses, are taken out of Psalm 34:12 and are produced as a proof of what is before said; that it is a good man's duty not to do or speak evil in return for what is done or said to him; but on the contrary, it becomes him to avoid evil, do good, and seek peace as much as possible, and leave it with a righteous God to vindicate him and his cause, who will not fail to do it; and that such shall inherit the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:9

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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:10

For he that will love life - This is a quotation from Psalm 34:12-16 , as it stands in the Septuagint; only the aorist of the imperative is changed from the second into the third person, etc. He who wishes to live long and prosperously, must act as he is here directed. He must refrain from evil-speaking, lying, and slandering. He must avoid flattery and fair speeches, which cover hypocritical or wicked intentions. He must avoid evil, keep going away εκκλινατω , from evil. He... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:9

Verse 9 9Not rendering evil for evil In these words every kind of revenge is forbidden; for in order to preserve love, we must bear with many things. At the same time he does not speak here of mutual benevolence, but he would have us to endure wrongs, when provoked by ungodly men. And though it is commonly thought that it is an instance of a weak and abject mind, not to avenge injuries, yet it is counted before God as the highest magnanimity. Nor is it indeed enough to abstain from revenge; but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:10

Verse 10 10For he He confirms the last sentence by the testimony of David. The passage is taken from the thirty-fourth Psalm, [Psalms 34:12,] where the Spirit testifies that it will be well with all who keep themselves from all evil-doing and wrong-doing. The common feeling indeed favors what is very different; for men think that they expose themselves to the insolence of enemies, if they do not boldly defend themselves. But the Spirit of God promises a happy life to none except to the meek,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 3:1-22

The subject of this section is the necessity for a life becoming the Christian name; this is applied to Christian citizens and to Christian servants, and, here, to Christian wives. The reason for the conspicuous place here assigned to wives is obvious. The writer is addressing Churches in pagan countries, many of whose members were wives of heathen husbands. What were these to do? were they to continue in that relationship, or did their Christianity sever the marriage bond? That question... read more

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