Sermons on 1 Peter 3:17
The various sermons below converge on the understanding that suffering for doing good is distinct from suffering for wrongdoing, emphasizing that the former carries spiritual value and aligns with God’s will. They collectively highlight the call to respond to unjust suffering with grace, love, and active blessing rather than retaliation, reflecting Christ’s example and embodying a peace rooted in a clear conscience. A notable nuance across these interpretations is the linguistic and theological unpacking of entrusting oneself—or more broadly, one’s cause—to God, which reframes suffering as a vocation rather than a mere hardship. Additionally, the sermons explore the multifaceted nature of suffering, using metaphors like the refining of gold and the “many-colored” trials to illustrate how God’s sovereign purposes purify faith and produce joy amid sorrow. Another shared insight is the caution against valuing suffering for its own sake, instead affirming that suffering’s worth is contingent on its connection to doing good and pursuing love.
Despite these common threads, the sermons diverge in their emphases and interpretive strategies. Some focus more on the psychological and spiritual contrast between guilt-laden suffering and peaceful suffering, while others delve into the original Greek to nuance the scope of entrusting one’s cause to God. One approach stresses the ethical imperative to suffer only for righteousness, explicitly warning against any glorification of suffering itself, whereas another embraces a dual reading of God’s will—both in permitting suffering and in shaping how it is endured. Theological themes also vary in their portrayal of suffering’s purpose: some sermons highlight suffering as a calling that magnifies God’s excellencies and faithfulness, while others emphasize the coexistence of sorrow and joy as a hallmark of Christian experience. The role of active goodness amid suffering is presented either as a radical witness that liberates from revenge or as a necessary expression of trust in God’s justice, with subtle differences in how passivity and action are balanced in the believer’s response.
1 Peter 3:17 Interpretation:
Responding to Criticism with Grace and Love (Crazy Love) interprets 1 Peter 3:17 as a direct challenge to the common assumption that suffering is always a sign of wrongdoing or divine displeasure. The sermon uniquely emphasizes the psychological and spiritual difference between suffering for doing wrong (which brings guilt and unrest) and suffering for doing good (which brings peace and a clear conscience). The preacher uses the analogy of conflict—contrasting the turmoil of guilt when one is at fault with the peace that comes from knowing one has acted righteously, even if suffering results. This interpretation is further deepened by the call to actively bless those who mistreat us, not merely to refrain from retaliation, but to go beyond and show Christlike love, thus reflecting the heart of God.
Enduring Unjust Suffering: Trusting God's Justice and Grace (Desiring God) offers a notable linguistic insight by referencing the original Greek in 1 Peter 2:23, noting that the phrase "he kept entrusting himself to God" omits "himself" in the Greek, suggesting a broader act of entrusting—one’s cause, indignation, and the need for justice—to God. This shapes the understanding of 1 Peter 3:17 by highlighting the act of surrendering not just personal safety but the entire matter of justice to God’s hands. The sermon also uses the metaphor of “handing over” one’s need for vindication, paralleling Jesus’ own response to unjust suffering, and frames suffering for good as a vocation or calling, not an accident.
Finding Purpose in Suffering: A Christian Perspective (Desiring God) brings a fresh perspective by focusing on the Greek word "poikilias" (various, many-colored) in describing trials, suggesting that God “paints in many colors” with the sufferings He allows, each with a unique purpose. The sermon also draws a vivid analogy between the refining of gold and the refining of faith through suffering, emphasizing that God’s will in suffering is not arbitrary but is designed to purify faith, remove impurities, and ultimately result in praise and honor at Christ’s return.
Embracing Goodness: The True Purpose of Suffering (Desiring God) interprets 1 Peter 3:17 by emphasizing that Peter is not simply stating the obvious but is countering a mistaken idea that all suffering, even for wrongdoing, is somehow spiritually beneficial. The sermon uniquely highlights that Peter’s repeated clarifications (e.g., not suffering as a murderer or thief) suggest some early Christians may have believed any suffering was valuable, regardless of its cause. The preacher draws a sharp distinction between suffering for good and suffering for evil, arguing that only the former has spiritual merit. A notable insight is the warning not to prioritize the value of suffering itself above the value of doing good; suffering is not the goal, but rather a possible consequence of pursuing love and righteousness. The analogy used is that suffering is the “price of love,” not its aim, and Christians should not seek suffering for its own sake but should seek to do good, accepting suffering if it comes as a result.
Entrusting Our Souls: Doing Good Amid Suffering (Desiring God) offers a nuanced interpretation of 1 Peter 3:17 by exploring the phrase “if it is God’s will” and presenting two possible readings: (1) suffering happens only if God wills it, and (2) suffering should be endured in the manner God wills (i.e., for doing good, not evil). The preacher admits uncertainty about which meaning Peter intended but affirms both are biblically true and should be held together. This dual approach is a unique interpretive strategy, encouraging believers to accept both the sovereignty of God over suffering and the ethical imperative to suffer for righteousness, not wrongdoing. The sermon also draws a parallel to Jesus’ own suffering, noting that Jesus entrusted himself to God while doing good, thus providing a model for Christians.
1 Peter 3:17 Theological Themes:
Responding to Criticism with Grace and Love (Crazy Love) introduces the theme that suffering for doing good is not only permitted by God but can be His will, and that such suffering provides a unique opportunity to display the radical, non-retaliatory love of Christ. The sermon adds the facet that blessing those who mistreat us is the true mark of Christian love, going beyond mere forgiveness to active benevolence, and that this is the context in which the peace of God is most deeply experienced.
Enduring Unjust Suffering: Trusting God's Justice and Grace (Desiring God) presents the distinct theological theme that God’s will may include unjust suffering for His people, and that this suffering is a calling, not a detour. The sermon further develops the idea that enduring such suffering without retaliation magnifies the “excellencies” of God—His preciousness, shepherd care, future glory, faithfulness, and grace—by showing that believers value God above comfort, vindication, or earthly justice.
Finding Purpose in Suffering: A Christian Perspective (Desiring God) adds the nuanced theme that God’s design in suffering is multifaceted: sufferings are “many-colored,” brief in light of eternity, grievous yet not devoid of joy, and ultimately purifying. The sermon uniquely stresses that the coexistence of sorrow and joy in suffering is not contradictory but is a hallmark of Christian experience, rooted in hope and the sovereign grace of God.
Embracing Goodness: The True Purpose of Suffering (Desiring God) introduces the distinct theological theme that the pursuit of goodness and love must always take precedence over the pursuit of suffering; suffering is not inherently virtuous but only becomes meaningful when it is the result of doing good. The sermon warns against a “martyr complex” where Christians might seek out suffering for its own sake, and instead calls for a focus on outward acts of love and service, even if they lead to suffering. This is a fresh angle that challenges the glorification of suffering and re-centers Christian ethics on active goodness.
Entrusting Our Souls: Doing Good Amid Suffering (Desiring God) adds a new facet by emphasizing the dual command to both entrust oneself to God and to continue doing good amid suffering. The preacher stresses that trusting God is not a passive waiting for deliverance but is actively expressed through ongoing good works, even toward those who cause suffering. This theme is deepened by the assertion that entrusting oneself to God’s power and faithfulness liberates the believer from the need for revenge, enabling persistent goodness as a witness to God’s reality.
1 Peter 3:17 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Enduring Unjust Suffering: Trusting God's Justice and Grace (Desiring God) provides historical context by referencing the role of the state in the ancient world, specifically the function of governors as ordained by God to punish wrongdoers and reward those who do right (1 Peter 2:14). The sermon explains that, in Peter’s time, Christians suffering under abusive masters or authorities were to entrust ultimate justice to God, but also recognize the God-given role of civil authorities in restraining evil—a significant insight into the social and legal realities faced by early Christians.
Entrusting Our Souls: Doing Good Amid Suffering (Desiring God) provides historical context by referencing the marginal and beleaguered status of Peter’s audience within the Roman Empire. The preacher explains that Peter’s use of “faithful creator” is meant to reassure these early Christians of God’s power and dominion in a world where they felt weak and insignificant. This contextual insight helps explain why Peter emphasizes God’s role as creator and sovereign, offering comfort to a persecuted minority.
1 Peter 3:17 Cross-References in the Bible:
Responding to Criticism with Grace and Love (Crazy Love) references several passages to expand on 1 Peter 3:17: Matthew 5 (the Beatitudes, especially “blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you”), Luke 6:32-35 (Jesus’ teaching to love enemies and do good to those who hate you), Romans 12:2 (not conforming to the world but being transformed), and Colossians 4 (conversations full of grace). Each passage is used to reinforce the call to respond to mistreatment with grace, to see suffering for good as a blessing, and to pursue a nonconformist, Christlike ethic in the face of opposition.
Enduring Unjust Suffering: Trusting God's Justice and Grace (Desiring God) cross-references 1 Peter 2:21-23 (Christ’s example of suffering), 1 Peter 4:19 (suffering according to God’s will and entrusting one’s soul to the Creator), Revelation 16:6 (final justice for persecutors), and 1 Peter 2:14 (the state’s role in justice). These references are used to support the argument that suffering for good is divinely ordained, that Christ’s response to suffering is the model, and that ultimate justice is both eschatological (God’s final judgment) and, in part, delegated to earthly authorities.
Finding Purpose in Suffering: A Christian Perspective (Desiring God) references 1 Peter 1:6-7 (various trials and the refining of faith), 2 Corinthians 4 (the brevity of suffering compared to eternity), James 4 (life as a vapor), and 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (Paul’s affliction and learning to trust God). These passages are used to illustrate the temporality, diversity, and purposefulness of suffering, and to show that God’s design is to deepen faith and hope through trials.
Embracing Goodness: The True Purpose of Suffering (Desiring God) references 1 Peter 2:19 (“this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly”) and 1 Peter 4:15 (“let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or an evildoer or as a meddler”) to reinforce the distinction between suffering for good and suffering for evil. The sermon also cites 1 Peter 3:10-14, which encourages believers to “turn away from evil and do good” and promises blessing even if suffering comes for righteousness’ sake. These passages are used to support the argument that suffering is only spiritually valuable when it results from doing good, not evil.
Entrusting Our Souls: Doing Good Amid Suffering (Desiring God) draws on 1 Peter 4:19, 1 Peter 2:23 (Jesus “continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly”), and Luke 23:46 (Jesus’ words on the cross, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”) to illustrate the model of entrusting oneself to God while doing good. The sermon also references 1 Peter 3:12 (“the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer”) and 1 Peter 5:11 (“to him be the dominion forever and ever”) to highlight God’s faithfulness and power. These cross-references are used to show both the example of Christ and the assurance of God’s care and sovereignty as motivations for enduring suffering for good.