1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken."

◄ 1 Peter 3:14 ►

New International Version
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

New Living Translation
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.

English Standard Version
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

Berean Standard Bible
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

Berean Literal Bible
But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. "And you should not be afraid of their threats, neither should you be troubled."

King James Bible
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

New King James Version
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

New American Standard Bible
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE IN DREAD,

NASB 1995
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,

NASB 1977
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,

Legacy Standard Bible
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR FEAR, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,

Amplified Bible
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness [though it is not certain that you will], you are still blessed [happy, to be admired and favored by God]. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR INTIMIDATING THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED or DISTURBED [by their opposition].

Christian Standard Bible
But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed,

American Standard Version
But even if ye should suffer for righteousness' sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;

Contemporary English Version
Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don't worry about what people might do.

English Revised Version
But and if ye should suffer for righteousness' sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But even if you suffer for doing what God approves, you are blessed. Don't be afraid of those who want to harm you. Don't get upset.

Good News Translation
But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not be afraid of anyone, and do not worry.

International Standard Version
But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. "Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset.

Majority Standard Bible
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ?Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.?

NET Bible
But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.

New Heart English Bible
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not fear what they fear, nor be troubled."

Webster's Bible Translation
But if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

Weymouth New Testament
But even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are to be envied. So do not be alarmed by their threats, nor troubled;

World English Bible
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
But if you also should suffer because of righteousness, [you are] blessed! And do not be afraid of their fear, nor be troubled,

Berean Literal Bible
But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. "And you should not be afraid of their threats, neither should you be troubled."

Young's Literal Translation
but if ye also should suffer because of righteousness, happy are ye! and of their fear be not afraid, nor be troubled,

Smith's Literal Translation
But if ye also suffer for justice, happy are ye: be not afraid of their fear, neither be troubled;

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And yet, even when you suffer something for the sake of justice, you are blessed. So then, do not be afraid with their fear, and do not be disturbed.

New American Bible
But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them,

New Revised Standard Version
But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But, and if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed: and be not afraid of those who terrify you, neither be troubled.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if you suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed, and you should not be afraid of those who terrorize you, and be not provoked.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But yet, if you even suffer for righteousness, happy are you. Yet fear not their terror, nor be troubled:

Godbey New Testament
But if indeed you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are happy. Fear not their fear, neither be troubled;

Haweis New Testament
But if ye should even suffer for righteousness, blessed are ye: be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled,

Mace New Testament
However, if you suffer in the cause of virtue, it is your happiness: and instead of being over-awed by their threats, and struck with concern,

Weymouth New Testament
But even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are to be envied. So do not be alarmed by their threats, nor troubled;

Worrell New Testament
But, if ye should even suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye. But fear not their fear, neither be troubled;

Worsley New Testament
But if ye should even suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and therefore be not afraid of their menaces, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Suffering for Righteousness
13Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “ Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.” 15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ...

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 15:18-20
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

Acts 5:41
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Hebrews 10:32-34
Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. / Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. / You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Philippians 1:28-30
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God. / For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, / since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Isaiah 8:12-13
“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread. / The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.

Psalm 56:4
In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 1:8
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Treasury of Scripture

But and if you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

if.

1 Peter 2:19,20
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully…

1 Peter 4:13-16
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy…

Jeremiah 15:15
O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

and be.

Isaiah 8:12,13
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid…

Isaiah 41:10-14
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness…

Isaiah 51:12
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;

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1 Peter 3

1. He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other;
8. exhorting all men to unity and love;
14. and to suffer persecution.
19. He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world.

Berean Study Bible

But even if you should suffer for what is right
This phrase acknowledges the reality of suffering for righteousness, a theme prevalent throughout the New Testament. The Greek word for "suffer" is "πάσχω" (paschō), which implies enduring hardship or pain. Historically, early Christians faced persecution for their faith, often at the hands of both Jewish and Roman authorities. This suffering is not without purpose; it aligns believers with Christ, who also suffered unjustly. The phrase "for what is right" emphasizes the moral and ethical standards that Christians are called to uphold, even in the face of adversity. It is a call to maintain integrity and righteousness, reflecting the character of Christ.

you are blessed
The Greek word for "blessed" is "μακάριος" (makarios), which conveys a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity, often associated with divine favor. This blessing is not necessarily material but is a profound sense of joy and peace that comes from being in right standing with God. In the context of suffering, this blessing is counterintuitive; it suggests that enduring hardship for righteousness' sake is a mark of God's approval and presence. Historically, this assurance would have been a source of great comfort to early Christians who faced persecution, reminding them that their suffering was not in vain.

'Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.'
This quotation echoes Isaiah 8:12, where the prophet Isaiah encourages the Israelites not to fear the conspiracies and threats of their enemies. The Greek word for "fear" is "φοβέομαι" (phobeomai), which means to be afraid or terrified. The repetition of the command not to fear underscores the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and protection. In a historical context, early Christians were often threatened with imprisonment, torture, or death. This exhortation serves as a reminder that their ultimate allegiance is to God, who is greater than any earthly power. The phrase "do not be frightened" further emphasizes the call to courage and faith, encouraging believers to stand firm in their convictions despite external pressures.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) But and if ye suffer.--The old-fashioned phrase would read more intelligibly thus: Nay, if ye should even suffer. So far are men's attempts to "harm" us (by acts of malice to property or good name, &c.) from really injuring us, that even if it should come to be a matter of "suffering" we are to be congratulated. What he means by this "suffering," which is so much more than being "harmed," may be seen from 1Peter 2:21; 1Peter 3:17; 1Peter 4:1; 1Peter 4:15. He means the horrors of capital punishment. He does not speak of this as something that was already occurring, nor as though it were something immediately and certainly impending, but as a case well supposable. There had then as yet been no martyrdoms in Asia. The letter is therefore earlier in date than the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13). It is a noticeable point that in all St. Paul's Epistles the word "to suffer" occurs but seven times, and nowhere twice in the same Epistle; whereas it comes twelve times in this one short Letter of St. Peter.

For righteousness' sake.--Like the "suffering wrongfully" of 1Peter 2:19. It is not as suffering that it is valuable. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye; better, but although ye should suffer. St. Peter knew that persecution was coming; he wished to prepare his readers for it. He recalls to their thoughts the eighth beatitude, almost reproducing the Lord's words (Matthew 5:10). Such suffering (πάσχειν, lenius verbum quam κακοῦσθαι," Bengel) would do them no real harm; nay, it would bring with it a true and deep blessing. "Righteousness" here seems synonymous with "that which is good" in the last verse. Christians had often to suffer, not only because of their confession of Christ, but because of the purity of their lives, which was a standing reproach to the heathen. Compare St. Augustine's well-known saying, "Martyrem tacit non poena, sed causa." And be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. From Isaiah 8:12. The genitive may be taken as objective: "Be not afraid of the terror which they cause;" or as subjective, "with the terror which they feel." The former view is more suitable here.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
Ἀλλ’ (All’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

you should suffer
πάσχοιτε (paschoite)
Verb - Present Optative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3958: I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

for
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

what is right,
δικαιοσύνην (dikaiosynēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343: From dikaios; equity; specially justification.

[you are] blessed.
μακάριοι (makarioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3107: Happy, blessed, to be envied. A prolonged form of the poetical makar; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off.

“Do not fear
φοβηθῆτε (phobēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

intimidation;
φόβον (phobon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5401: (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.

do not be shaken.”
ταραχθῆτε (tarachthēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5015: To disturb, agitate, stir up, trouble. Of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate.

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NT Letters: 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)