1 Peter 3:17 (GNV)

Passage

For it is better (if the will of God be so) that ye suffer for well doing, then for euil doing.

Nearby Context

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready alwayes to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekenesse and reuerence,

1 Peter 3:16 Hauing a good coscience, that whe they speake euill of you as of euill doers, they may be ashamed, which slander your good conuersation in Christ.

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better (if the will of God be so) that ye suffer for well doing, then for euil doing.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sinnes, the iust for the vniust, that he might bring vs to God, and was put to death concerning the flesh, but was quickened by the spirit.

1 Peter 3:19 By the which hee also went, and preached vnto the spirits that are in prison.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "will of God", "better", "suffer", "well", "doing", and "euil". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "will of God" and "better", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "Hauing a good coscience that whe they..." into verse 18's "For Christ also hath once suffered for...", so "will of God" and "better" 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 "will of God" and "better" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.