When You Suffer for Righteousness’ Sake – 1 Peter 3:13-20
3 (13) Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is right? (14) But if, indeed, you should suffer for the cause of righteousness, you are blessed! It is written, “Do not fear their terror, nor be troubled.” (15) On the contrary, “sanctify the Lord,” Christ, in your hearts; being always prepared with an answer for everyone who asks you for an explanation concerning the hope that is in you. (16) But do so with humility and respect, maintaining a good conscience, so that by the very thing for which you are slandered those who insult your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.
(17) It is better, if it be the will of God, to suffer for doing what is right, than for doing what is wrong; (18) because Christ also died for sins once for all, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones, so that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive again by the Spirit. (19) By the Spirit he also went and preached to the spirits who now are bound; (20) namely, those who were disobedient back when the patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. By means of that ark a few, that is, only eight souls, were brought safely through the water.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
