1 Peter 3:9 (ASV)

Passage

not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Nearby Context

1 Peter 3:7 Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with [your wives] according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, [be] ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:

1 Peter 3:9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile:

1 Peter 3:11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "called", "rendering", "evil", "reviling", "contrariwise", "blessing", and "hereunto". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "called" and "rendering", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "Finally be ye all likeminded compassionate loving..." into verse 10's "For He that would love life And...", so "called" and "rendering" belong inside that flow. In 1 Peter context, the local focus is hope in suffering, holy conduct, submission, and grace.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "called" and "rendering" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.