1 Peter 3:9
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
Not
G3361
μὴ
Not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀποδιδόντες
rendering
G591
ἀποδιδόντες
rendering
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
2 of 20
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
κακοῦ
evil
G2556
κακοῦ
evil
Strong's:
G2556
Word #:
3 of 20
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
ἀντὶ
for
G473
ἀντὶ
for
Strong's:
G473
Word #:
4 of 20
opposite, i.e., instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
κακοῦ
evil
G2556
κακοῦ
evil
Strong's:
G2556
Word #:
5 of 20
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
ἀντὶ
for
G473
ἀντὶ
for
Strong's:
G473
Word #:
8 of 20
opposite, i.e., instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
εὐλογοῦντες
a blessing
G2127
εὐλογοῦντες
a blessing
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
12 of 20
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
εἰδότες
knowing
G1492
εἰδότες
knowing
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
13 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
εἰς
thereunto
G1519
εἰς
thereunto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἐκλήθητε
called
G2564
ἐκλήθητε
called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
17 of 20
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
Cross References
Proverbs 20:22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.Romans 12:17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.Romans 12:14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.1 Thessalonians 5:15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.Matthew 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;Proverbs 17:13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.Matthew 5:39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Historical Context
In honor-shame culture, retaliation for insults was expected—maintaining honor required responding to slights. Jesus and Peter radically challenge this, commanding blessing instead of revenge. This supernatural response distinguished Christians from surrounding culture. Early church's non-retaliatory response to persecution perplexed observers and sometimes shamed persecutors into repentance. The promise that blessing others results in receiving blessing demonstrates kingdom economics—giving produces receiving, loving enemies defeats them more effectively than revenge.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific situations tempt you toward retaliation rather than blessing, and how can you respond differently?
- How does knowing you're 'called' to bless (not curse) change your response to insults or mistreatment?
Analysis & Commentary
Peter addresses retaliation. "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing" (mē apodid ontes kakon anti kakou ē loidarian anti loidorias)—don't repay evil with evil or insult with insult. The command echoes Jesus (Matthew 5:38-42). The alternative: "but contrariwise blessing" (tounantion de eulogountes)—respond to evil and insults with blessing, prayer, well-wishing. The reason: "knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing" (eidotes hoti eis touto eklēthēte hina eulogian klēronomēsēte). Christians are called to bless rather than curse, promised that this behavior results in receiving blessing—from God and sometimes even from transformed enemies.