1 Peter 3:8-12 summarizes Peter’s exhortation for believers to live harmonious relationships. Whether toward kings, employers, or spouses, we are to treat others with love and humility. We should act to the benefit of others. It is a mistake to seek vengeance or escalate conflict by responding to evil words with evil words. Rather, we should give out blessings to others. Peter quotes a psalm to illustrate how good follows good, and evil follows evil. God is the judge. He will punish the wicked and bless those who bless others.
In 1 Peter 3:8-121 Peter 3:8-12 commentary, commentary Peter summarizes how believers are to submit to authorities and one another by describing a pattern of behavior marked by teamwork.
Having discussed the submissive relationships between citizens and civil authority, slaves and masters, as well as wives and husbands, Peter provides a summary instruction on how to live harmoniously in those relationships. To sum up, literally meaning “to the end” or “finally,” all of you, referring to the three kinds of submissive relationships just mentioned, be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit (v. 8).
Peter describes five ways to promote harmony in submissive relationships:
Be harmonious - which refers to being like-minded.
Sympathetic - Greek “sympathies” which has the idea of understanding and sympathy.
Brotherly - Greek “philadelphoi” which involves loving like a brother or sister.
Kindhearted - which implies seeing things from the perspective of another.
Humble in spirit - which means humility in thinking. Humility is seeing things as they are, seeing and living in truth rather than self-rationalization.
These five adjectives comprise unique words that Peter uses only here to emphasize what it takes to live harmoniously with people who may cause us to suffer unjustly for doing the right thing (1 Peter 2:151 Peter 2:15 commentary, 2020 commentary, 3:23:2 commentary). Having these harmonious qualities can help defuse disharmony in contentious relationships.
It is hard enough to show these harmonious qualities toward people who like us, but much more difficult to work toward harmony with people who don’t like us and say evil things about us. Our natural tendency is to echo what opponents say to us right back to them. However, the Bible tells us we should not respond returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead. (v. 9)
Peter contrasts the actions of returning “apodidontes” (meaning to give back or pay back) with giving a blessing “euloguontes” (meaning to speak well of or to ask God to bestow a special blessing). Peter heard Jesus teach this principle (Luke 6:27-28Luke 6:27-28 commentary) and saw Jesus model this principle while hanging on the cross (Luke 24:34Luke 24:34 commentary, commentary1 Peter 2:231 Peter 2:23 commentary).
This principle of giving a blessing instead of an insult when being persecuted is so important that God moved the Apostle Paul to confirm this principle repeatedly (Romans 12:14Romans 12:14 commentary, commentary1 Corinthians 4:121 Corinthians 4:12 commentary, commentary1 Thessalonians 5:151 Thessalonians 5:15 commentary). Indeed, God reaffirms the importance of this principle as Peter explains, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing (v. 9b).
We might view the entire passage of 1 Peter 31 Peter 3 commentary as instruction in giving blessing for evil or insult. Those with authority or power tend to use it in a self-seeking manner. But our job is to return a blessing so that we might inherit a blessing.
Jesus placed this principle as the centerpiece of the Lord’s Prayer, “And forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12Matthew 6:12 commentary). As explained in the commentary on Matthew 6:12Matthew 6:12 commentary, this is the center, or primary point of a chiastic structure. As Jesus highlights in Matthew 6:14-15Matthew 6:14-15 commentary, commentary God will bless those who bless others.
This means that if a government or master abuses their power, we should find ways to bless in return. If a wife abuses her relational power, husbands should seek to bless in return by making her a fellow heir of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:71 Peter 3:7 commentary). If a husband abuses positional authority the wife should seek to bless in return by speaking words of respect.
A basic part of God’s call for the life of a believer is to give a blessing instead of an insult when persecuted. Embedded in the idea of being called for the very purpose of giving blessing for insult is the sense of choosing to follow God in order to seek a greater blessing from God. Peter uses the word called seven times in his letters (1 Peter 1:151 Peter 1:15 commentary, 2:92:9 commentary, 2121 commentary, 3:63:6 commentary, 99 commentary, 5:105:10 commentary, 2 Peter 1:32 Peter 1:3 commentary).
The context indicates that the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing refers both to a future eternal reward given as a believer enters heaven (Matthew 5:11-12Matthew 5:11-12 commentary) as well as a present earthly blessing of a good life on earth (1 Peter 3:10-121 Peter 3:10-12 commentary).
To strengthen his argument about the inherited blessing of a good life on earth, Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16Psalm 34:12-16 commentary:
For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. “He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (vs. 10-12)
The context of Psalm 34Psalm 34 commentary finds David not seeking to retaliate against King Saul who is seeking to kill him. Instead, David is seeking refuge in God as he hides from Saul’s relentless pursuit. David is a classic example of doing what Peter is instructing believers to do when suffering persecution.
David explains that generally physical life is lengthened and days are good, implying a current blessing of living in a state of contentment and enjoyment of life. This gracious behavior is described three ways for anyone desiring the blessing of life and love and to see good days:
1) In his speech - he mustkeep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit (Psalm 34:13Psalm 34:13 commentary)
2) In his actions - He must turn away from evil and do good (Psalm 34:14aPsalm 34:14a commentary) and
3) In his relationships - he must seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14bPsalm 34:14b commentary).
This tells us that at the heart of Peter’s exhortations for those who seek to live in obedience to God is to seek and speak to others what is true.
Additionally, there is a choice to turn away from evil and instead choose to do good. It is not possible to make the choice of turning from evil in order to do good without first choosing to seek and follow what is true. The good must always be connected to what is true and right.
This behavior does not happen on its own. It requires effort. Therefore, Peter includes the passage that exhorts us to seek peace and pursue it. The verbs seek and pursue are both imperative verbs, indicating that in order to gain a life that truly prospers, we must actively seek and pursue peace. It does not say “achieve.” Peace requires more than one party. It is the job of each believer to simply seek and pursue. As Paul stated:
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be as peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18Romans 12:18 commentary)
This instruction focuses on obedience rather than outcomes. The Hebrew word translated peace in Psalm 34:14Psalm 34:14 commentary is “salom,” pronounced “shalom.” It is an encompassing word that includes all things being in harmony with their design and purpose. To seek and pursue Shalom/peace is to seek and pursue what is true and apply it to bless others, including those in positions of power or authority.
Peter further quotes the psalmist David who explains why God will bless such gracious behavior,
“For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (v. 12).
This quotes Psalm 34:15-16Psalm 34:15-16 commentary. This means that the eyes and ears of our heavenly Father see and hear our obedient actions and words and will reward them. This passage is applied in Jesus’s model prayer (Matthew 6:12Matthew 6:12 commentary, 14-1514-15 commentary).
Based on David’s example, Peter tells believers that we should not retaliate and gain our own vengeance against those in authority who cause suffering, but to instead bless them. This will result in a great reward in heaven and a happier life on earth.
It is not as though people will get away with doing evil. Peter includes the reality that God is the judge, and He will bring proper judgment upon all injustice. He adds the part of David’s psalm that the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. The Apostle Paul confirms this teaching, also reflecting this principle from Psalm 34:12-16Psalm 34:12-16 commentary:
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19Romans 12:19 commentary).
In Paul’s case, he quotes from Deuteronomy 32:35Deuteronomy 32:35 commentary, commentary showing that this principle is a theme throughout the entire Bible. It is the job of the believer to live and seek peace while speaking the truth, and trust God to bring about justice in His timing. This sets up for Peter to delve further into his theme that believers should rejoice when suffering unjustly because to patiently endure brings blessing. Jesus is our example, He endured and was blessed. Peter will take up this theme next and carry it through the rest of the letter.
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1 Peter 3:8-12 meaning
In 1 Peter 3:8-121 Peter 3:8-12 commentary, commentary Peter summarizes how believers are to submit to authorities and one another by describing a pattern of behavior marked by teamwork.
Having discussed the submissive relationships between citizens and civil authority, slaves and masters, as well as wives and husbands, Peter provides a summary instruction on how to live harmoniously in those relationships. To sum up, literally meaning “to the end” or “finally,” all of you, referring to the three kinds of submissive relationships just mentioned, be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit (v. 8).
Peter describes five ways to promote harmony in submissive relationships:
These five adjectives comprise unique words that Peter uses only here to emphasize what it takes to live harmoniously with people who may cause us to suffer unjustly for doing the right thing (1 Peter 2:151 Peter 2:15 commentary, 2020 commentary, 3:23:2 commentary). Having these harmonious qualities can help defuse disharmony in contentious relationships.
It is hard enough to show these harmonious qualities toward people who like us, but much more difficult to work toward harmony with people who don’t like us and say evil things about us. Our natural tendency is to echo what opponents say to us right back to them. However, the Bible tells us we should not respond returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead. (v. 9)
Peter contrasts the actions of returning “apodidontes” (meaning to give back or pay back) with giving a blessing “euloguontes” (meaning to speak well of or to ask God to bestow a special blessing). Peter heard Jesus teach this principle (Luke 6:27-28Luke 6:27-28 commentary) and saw Jesus model this principle while hanging on the cross (Luke 24:34Luke 24:34 commentary, commentary 1 Peter 2:231 Peter 2:23 commentary).
This principle of giving a blessing instead of an insult when being persecuted is so important that God moved the Apostle Paul to confirm this principle repeatedly (Romans 12:14Romans 12:14 commentary, commentary 1 Corinthians 4:121 Corinthians 4:12 commentary, commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:151 Thessalonians 5:15 commentary). Indeed, God reaffirms the importance of this principle as Peter explains, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing (v. 9b).
We might view the entire passage of 1 Peter 31 Peter 3 commentary as instruction in giving blessing for evil or insult. Those with authority or power tend to use it in a self-seeking manner. But our job is to return a blessing so that we might inherit a blessing.
Jesus placed this principle as the centerpiece of the Lord’s Prayer, “And forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12Matthew 6:12 commentary). As explained in the commentary on Matthew 6:12Matthew 6:12 commentary, this is the center, or primary point of a chiastic structure. As Jesus highlights in Matthew 6:14-15Matthew 6:14-15 commentary, commentary God will bless those who bless others.
This means that if a government or master abuses their power, we should find ways to bless in return. If a wife abuses her relational power, husbands should seek to bless in return by making her a fellow heir of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:71 Peter 3:7 commentary). If a husband abuses positional authority the wife should seek to bless in return by speaking words of respect.
A basic part of God’s call for the life of a believer is to give a blessing instead of an insult when persecuted. Embedded in the idea of being called for the very purpose of giving blessing for insult is the sense of choosing to follow God in order to seek a greater blessing from God. Peter uses the word called seven times in his letters (1 Peter 1:151 Peter 1:15 commentary, 2:92:9 commentary, 2121 commentary, 3:63:6 commentary, 99 commentary, 5:105:10 commentary, 2 Peter 1:32 Peter 1:3 commentary).
The context indicates that the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing refers both to a future eternal reward given as a believer enters heaven (Matthew 5:11-12Matthew 5:11-12 commentary) as well as a present earthly blessing of a good life on earth (1 Peter 3:10-121 Peter 3:10-12 commentary).
To strengthen his argument about the inherited blessing of a good life on earth, Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16Psalm 34:12-16 commentary:
For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. “He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
(vs. 10-12)
The context of Psalm 34Psalm 34 commentary finds David not seeking to retaliate against King Saul who is seeking to kill him. Instead, David is seeking refuge in God as he hides from Saul’s relentless pursuit. David is a classic example of doing what Peter is instructing believers to do when suffering persecution.
David explains that generally physical life is lengthened and days are good, implying a current blessing of living in a state of contentment and enjoyment of life. This gracious behavior is described three ways for anyone desiring the blessing of life and love and to see good days:
1) In his speech - he must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit (Psalm 34:13Psalm 34:13 commentary)
2) In his actions - He must turn away from evil and do good (Psalm 34:14aPsalm 34:14a commentary) and
3) In his relationships - he must seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14bPsalm 34:14b commentary).
This tells us that at the heart of Peter’s exhortations for those who seek to live in obedience to God is to seek and speak to others what is true.
Additionally, there is a choice to turn away from evil and instead choose to do good. It is not possible to make the choice of turning from evil in order to do good without first choosing to seek and follow what is true. The good must always be connected to what is true and right.
This behavior does not happen on its own. It requires effort. Therefore, Peter includes the passage that exhorts us to seek peace and pursue it. The verbs seek and pursue are both imperative verbs, indicating that in order to gain a life that truly prospers, we must actively seek and pursue peace. It does not say “achieve.” Peace requires more than one party. It is the job of each believer to simply seek and pursue. As Paul stated:
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be as peace with all men.”
(Romans 12:18Romans 12:18 commentary)
This instruction focuses on obedience rather than outcomes. The Hebrew word translated peace in Psalm 34:14Psalm 34:14 commentary is “salom,” pronounced “shalom.” It is an encompassing word that includes all things being in harmony with their design and purpose. To seek and pursue Shalom/peace is to seek and pursue what is true and apply it to bless others, including those in positions of power or authority.
Peter further quotes the psalmist David who explains why God will bless such gracious behavior,
“For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (v. 12).
This quotes Psalm 34:15-16Psalm 34:15-16 commentary. This means that the eyes and ears of our heavenly Father see and hear our obedient actions and words and will reward them. This passage is applied in Jesus’s model prayer (Matthew 6:12Matthew 6:12 commentary, 14-1514-15 commentary).
Based on David’s example, Peter tells believers that we should not retaliate and gain our own vengeance against those in authority who cause suffering, but to instead bless them. This will result in a great reward in heaven and a happier life on earth.
It is not as though people will get away with doing evil. Peter includes the reality that God is the judge, and He will bring proper judgment upon all injustice. He adds the part of David’s psalm that the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. The Apostle Paul confirms this teaching, also reflecting this principle from Psalm 34:12-16Psalm 34:12-16 commentary:
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord”
(Romans 12:19Romans 12:19 commentary).
In Paul’s case, he quotes from Deuteronomy 32:35Deuteronomy 32:35 commentary, commentary showing that this principle is a theme throughout the entire Bible. It is the job of the believer to live and seek peace while speaking the truth, and trust God to bring about justice in His timing. This sets up for Peter to delve further into his theme that believers should rejoice when suffering unjustly because to patiently endure brings blessing. Jesus is our example, He endured and was blessed. Peter will take up this theme next and carry it through the rest of the letter.