1 Peter 3:9 ⁹not repaying evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but on the contrary, blessing, because for this you were called, in order that you may obtain a blessing.

The list of actions for the whole church continues with a comparison between the old ways of how unbelievers often respond and how believers ought to follow a new way. When we face persecution and difficulty, our natural (worldly) response is to fight back. We do this for several reasons. One is simply self-preservation. Every animal will respond with some type of self-preserving response when threatened. Protecting ourselves is a required response in many situations. When we can protect ourselves, we should. The Bible teachings about the need for law, order, and protecting people, especially the innocent and vulnerable, from harm.  This verse should be interpreted in the context of what Peter has been writing about, especially to those who suffer persecution or are in difficult relationships.

Peter gives two examples of the natural reaction we may be tempted to give driven by our emotional impulse to protect ourselves. Evil (kakos) is an inclusive term representing all kinds of bad ways people hurt one another, inclusive physical ways. Evil actions are not God’s way and are the opposite of love. The word abuse (loidorian) is often used in ancient literature for verbal reproach and ridicule. Verbal insults can be so subtle to be almost imperceptible except to the person who receives them. They can be like little jabbing knives that eventually cause a person to bleed to death. Even the tiniest of pin pricks can be painful. Together, the terms can represent any imaginable way people do bad to one another. An early Christian could experience these types of responses from others because of their faith in Jesus.

Responding to an insult with another insult only makes matters worse. Only through God’s grace and our humility can we repay evil with blessing. With a purified heart, we can learn to respond in love, like Jesus. Instead of reacting with the same type of treatment we receive, Peter challenges us to respond with blessing our abuser, like Jesus did when he suffered and went to the cross. With God’s help, we can turn the other check, blessing those who persecution us, and love our enemies.

Our response to evil or abuse may not free us from such action from others. We could even experience emotional or physical pain as a result. As Peter pointed out at the end of chapter 2, this type of response led to Jesus’ own death. His death speaks loudly as a testimony of his faithfulness and obedience to the Father. Our calling as believers is to follow Jesus’ pattern.

As Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12, there is a blessing that awaits those who suffer for his name. We may experience this blessing in this life, but even if we do not, an eternal blessing awaits us. Living a life of love like this is one of the loudest testimonies we can give. People take notice of someone who is kind when insulted. Such a response puts water on the fires of temper and anger and may lead to the other party experiencing guilt for their temper or actions. Through this conviction, the Holy Spirit can speak to them about their need to repent.