1 Peter 3:17

17 For it is better that ye do well, and suffer, if the will of God will, than doing evil. [Soothly it is better, if the will of God will, ye well-doing, to suffer, than evil-doing.]

1 Peter 3:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Peter 3:17

For it is better, if the will of God be so
For all things are ordered by the will of God, even all the sufferings and afflictions of the saints; and which is a reason why they ought to be patiently submitted to, and bore: and "better" it is, more honourable and profitable,

that ye suffer for well doing;
for believing in Christ, professing him and his Gospel, giving a free and open reason for so doing, and for exercising a good conscience, and living godly in Christ Jesus:

than for evil doing;
as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a busy body in other men's matters, ( 1 Peter 4:15 1 Peter 4:16 ) .

1 Peter 3:17 In-Context

15 But hallow ye the Lord Christ in your hearts, and evermore be ye ready to [do] satisfaction to each man asking you reason of that faith and hope that is in you, but with mildness and dread,

16 having good conscience; that in that thing that they backbite of you, they be confounded, which challenge falsely your good conversation in Christ.

17 For it is better that ye do well, and suffer, if the will of God will, than doing evil. [Soothly it is better, if the will of God will, ye well-doing, to suffer, than evil-doing.]

18 For also Christ once died for our sins, he just for unjust, that he should offer to God us [that he should offer us to God], made dead in flesh, but made quick in Spirit.

19 For which thing he came in Spirit, and also to them that were closed together in prison;