Bible Strands
1 Peter 3:13
Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Peter addresses scattered believers under pressure, placing this rhetorical question between a citation on God's stance against the wicked (v.12) and a command not to be shaken (v.14).
The words — κακώσων (kakōsōn), a participle of κακοποιέω, means "doing evil to" rather than neutral "harming"; it names the actor as one who acts with malice.
The thread — Proverbs 16:7 promises that God makes even enemies live at peace with those whose ways please Him; 1 Thessalonians 5:15 commands pursuit of good and refusal to repay evil for evil.
Why it lands — The verse does not promise freedom from suffering (v.14 grants that suffering may come) but strips the persecutor of the title "harmful" by asking who, in fact, is the one doing evil.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
Cross-references
- Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- 3 John 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
- Psalms 38:20 Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.
- Proverbs 15:9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
- Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
- Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,
- 1 Timothy 5:10 and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.