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Selected Verse: 1 Peter 3:17 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Pe 3:17 |
King James |
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
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 (Pe1 2:15) have the comfort to know that suffering is God's appointment (Pe1 4:19). So Christ Himself; our inclination does not wish it. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
| 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 favor, and the feeling that we may go to God for support. If we suffer for our faults, in addition to the outward pain of body, we shall endure the severest pangs which man can suffer - those which the guilty mind inflicts on itself. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
If the will of God be so (εἰ θέλοι τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ)
More literally, as Rev., preserving the play upon the word will, if the will of God should so will. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| It is infinitely better, if it be the will of God, ye should suffer. His permissive will appears from his providence. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| For it is better - See on Pe1 2:19, Pe1 2:20 (note). |
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.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
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.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.