For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Parallel translations
- WEB For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.
- KJV For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
- NKJV For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
- NASB For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
- NLT Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If it is God's will, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Suffering for righteousness is far preferable to suffering for sin.
Overview
Peter reminds believers that suffering, when it comes, should be for doing good, not evil. Such suffering falls within God's sovereign will and carries no shame, unlike the suffering that results from wrongdoing. This prepares the way for the supreme example of innocent suffering, Christ himself, in the next verse.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 1 Pet 3:14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
- 1 Pet 4:19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
- Matt 26:39Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
- Acts 21:14When he would not be dissuaded, we fell silent and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
- 1 Pet 2:15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
- Matt 26:42A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”
- 1 Pet 2:20How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
- 1 Pet 4:15Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The lamb without blemish foreknown before the world, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, by whose wounds we are healed — the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
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Original language
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