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Here our apostle adds his advice to Christians, that they silence and put to shame their adversaries, by their holy conversation, together with their rational disputations: he bade them in the former verse be always ready to make a profession of their faith, and to render a reason of their hope; here he bids them confute gainsayers by a good conversation, and in order thereunto to keep continually an innocent mind and a clear conscience, pure from guile, and clear from guilt: Having a good conscience, that such as speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, may be ashamed.
Note here, 1. That let the servants of Christ be never so innocent in their lives, and circumspect in their carriage, yet there are those that will censure them as bad men, and slander them as evil doers.
Note, 2. That a good conscience, accompanied with a good conversation, is the most effectual mean to stop the mouth of slander, and to put such as accuse us falsely, to shame.
Note, 3. That when sufferings and persecutions do come, after all, the consideration that we suffer not for evil, but for well-doing, will be a sufficient support and consolation to us. It is better, if God sill have us suffer, that it be for well-doing; better for us, but worse for our persecutors; for now the body only suffers, while the soul is free.