1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Peter writes to scattered believers under social hostility, sandwiching this command between a call to humility (v. 8) and a warning about the tongue (v. 10).

The words — ἀποδιδόντες (apodidontes) is a present participle of ἀποδίδωμι, literally "settling a debt," framing retaliation as a transaction the reader is told not to complete.

The thread — Romans 12:17 repeats the prohibition almost verbatim; Romans 12:14 adds the positive command to bless persecutors; Proverbs 20:22 redirects the impulse toward vengeance to the LORD.

Why it lands — The verse does not ask for passive endurance but for an active, counter-cultural response (blessing) that is tied to the reader's calling and inheritance, not to their feelings about the insult.

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

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Cross-references

Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
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.
Luke 6:27 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Proverbs 17:13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.