But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
14. Hence Peter adds, But if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake The meaning is, that the faithful will do more towards obtaining a quiet life by kindness, than by violence and promptitude in taking revenge; but that when they neglect nothing to secure peace, were they to suffer, they are still blessed, because they suffer for the sake of righteousness.
Christians ought to be of one mind in the great points of faith and practice, yet show compassion even where minds differ. Love your brothers with more than common affection, and extend civil courtesy to all, even a vile apostate deserves that much. This is not sentiment; it is the law of Christ.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Peter 3:8-15
But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake,.... For the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, which was the great stumbling block to the Jews, and on account of which they persecuted the Christians; it being not after man, nor according to the carnal reason of men, and was contrary to the method they had fixed on, and what excluded boasting in them...