Blessing Rather than Evil and Railing 1 Peter 3:9

As Peter the apostle continued to give instructions to the “scattered” Christians, he included “wives”, “husbands” and “all” the people as he told them to “be of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous”, and in chapter three and verse nine of his letter Peter promised them a “blessing” as he gave them directives to “bless” rather than render “evil for evil” or “railing for railing” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing:” Peter began with the words, “Not rendering” which means “not delivering, giving away for one's own profit what is one's own, to sell, pay off, discharge, restore, requite and recompense” “evil for evil” which in Greek is “kakos anti kakos” and means “having a bad nature, mode of thinking, feeling or acting that is troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive and baneful”, “or railing for railing” which is the Greek phrase “loidoria anti loidoria” and means “reviling, reproaching, vituperation or slander”. Retribution equal to the “evil” and “railing” was not to be a part of the Christian's life.

The verse continues, “but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.” Peter added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction which means what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was just written “moreover, also and now” “contrariwise” which means “on the contrary” “blessing” which is the Greek word “eulogia” from which we derived our English word “eulogy” or “praise, laudation, panegyric, consecration and benefit”; “knowing that” or “seeing, perceiving, noticing, discerning, discovering, experiencing, having in regard for one, cherish and pay attention to” “you” which refers to the “scattered” Christians “are thereunto called” which means “called aloud and uttered in a loud voice to, invited, bear the name to and saluted by one name”, “that you should inherit” which means “receive a lot such as an inheritance as an heir, to become partaker of and to obtain” “a blessing” or “praise, laudation, panegyric, consecration and benefit”. Peter's instruction is for Christians to “bless” those who “rail” upon them or treat them with “evil”.

When we think through these words of Peter, we are challenged to react exactly opposite to the natural response to “evil” and “railing”. Let us keep in mind as we consider this way of reacting, there is a “blessing” attached for those who obey Peter's words. We can only accomplish this through the Holy Spirit of God as He works in and through us and empowers us as He teaches us to follow His word. May the Lord Jesus by His Spirit accomplish this task within us that we may inherit all the “blessings” He desires to send our way.

Next time Peter tells all the Christians to “refrain” their “tongue from evil”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.