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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Peter 3:9 - 3:9
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Not rendering evil for evil (mē apodidontes kakon anti kakou). Mē and the present active participle of apodidōmi, to give back. The same phrase in Rom 12:17 and the same idea in 1Th 5:15. Peter may have obtained it from Paul or both from Pro 17:13; Pro 20:22, “an approximation to Christ’s repeal of the lex talionis (Mat 5:38.) which Plato first opposed among the Greeks” (Hart). Common use of anti for exchange.
Reviling for reviling (loidorian anti loidorias). Allusion to 1Pe 2:23 (Christ’s own example).
But contrariwise blessing (tounantion de eulogountes). Adverbial accusative and crasis (to enantion) of the neuter article and the adjective enantios (en, antios, opposite, Mat 14:24), “on the contrary.” For eulogountes (present active participle of eulogeō) see Luk 6:28; Rom 12:14 (imperative eulogeite).
For hereunto were ye called (hoti eis touto eklēthēte). See note on 1Pe 2:21 for this verb and use of eis touto (pointing to the preceding argument).
That ye should inherit a blessing (hina eulogian klēronomēsēte). Purpose clause with hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of klēronomeō, a plain reference to Esau, who wanted “to inherit the blessing” (Heb 12:17) after he had sold his birthright. Christians are the new Israel (both Gentiles and Jews) and are the spiritual descendants of Isaac (Gal 4:22.).