1 Peter 3:13

¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”¹³Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

Sermons

(1 Peter - Part 27): Who Is He That Will Harm You?

A.W. Tozer

25K

Eternal Values - Seeking God's Kingdom First

Zac Poonen

2.6K

Following Living Suffering for Christ

Willie Mullan

1.4K

Some Things I Have Learnt in 50 Years Part 3

Zac Poonen

1.3K

Prepare for Suddenly

Brian Long

406

Two Powerful Truths

Zac Poonen

(Principles of Serving God) 3. Some Important Truths That I Have Learnt

Zac Poonen

Summary

In 1 Peter 3:13, the apostle Peter encourages believers not to fear persecution or be intimidated by those who may harm them for their faith. Instead, he urges them to do what is right and to trust in God's protection and ultimate justice. This verse reminds Christians that suffering for righteousness' sake is commendable in the eyes of God, and they should continue to live out their faith boldly and confidently, knowing that God is with them. Peter's words serve as a source of strength and assurance for believers facing opposition, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Who is he that will harm you - Is it possible that a man can be wretched who has God for his friend? "All the devices which the devil or wicked men work against such must be brought to naught, and by the providence of his goodness be dispersed." If ye be followers, etc. - Εαν Του Αγαθου μιμηται γενησθε· If ye be imitators of the good One, i.e. of God. Ὁ Αγαθος, the good One, is one of God's prime epithets, see Mat 19:17, and Satan is distinguished by the reverse, ὁ πονηρος, the Evil one, Mat 13:19 (note). Instead of μιμηται, followers, or rather imitators, ζηλωται, zealous of what is good, is the reading of ABC, fifteen others, both the Syriac, Erpen's Arabic, the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian and Vulgate, with some of the fathers. This is a very probable reading, and Griesbach has placed it in the margin as a candidate for the place of that in the text.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And who is he that will harm you,.... Or "can harm you". God will not; for his eyes are upon the righteous, to protect and defend them, and, his ears are open to their cries, to avenge them; he is on their side, and he is the only lawgiver that is able to save, and to destroy. Christ will not; for when he came the first time, it was not to condemn, but to save; and when he comes a second time, though he will rule the wicked with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel; yet his people, who are his jewels, he will spare, as a man spares his only son. Good angels will not; these rejoice at the conversion, and in the salvation of sinful men, encamp about the saints, and are ministering spirits to them: nor the devil; though he would devour, he cannot; for greater is he that is in the saints, than he that is in the world: nor can sin; for though it wars against them, it shall not have the dominion over them; and though it often breaks in upon their peace and comfort, it cannot damn and destroy their souls: nor the law; for though it pronounces guilty, and curses those that are under it, and are of the works of it, yet since Christ has fulfilled it for his people, by obeying its precepts, and bearing its penalty, the curse, it lies not against them, nor can it inflict any punishment on them: nor the men of the world; who hate and persecute the saints; these can do them no real harm; they cannot hurt their grace, which shines the brighter, being tried and proved in the furnace of affliction; they cannot destroy their peace and comfort by all the trouble they give them; all the harm they can do them is to their bodies; they can do none to their souls; and even all the evil things they do to their bodies work together for their good; and they must be very wicked men that will do harm in any respect to such as behave well in states, cities, towns, or neighbourhoods: if ye be followers of that which is good; of God, who is essentially, originally, and infinitely good, and does good to all his creatures, by imitating him in holiness and righteousness, in kindness, mercy, and beneficence; and of Christ, the good Shepherd, following him in the exercise of grace, as of humility, love, patience, &c. and in the discharge of duty; and of good men, the apostles of Christ, the first churches, faithful ministers, and all such who through faith and patience have inherited the promises, and that both in doctrine and practice; and of all good things, whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, particularly righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. Some copies, as the Alexandrian, and others, read, "zealots", or "zealous of good"; of good works, as in Tit 2:14 and so the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions.