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Holding a good conscience1 so that they may become ashamed2 when they speak abusively against your good conduct in Christ.3
| 1 | Holding a good conscience: Or, clean conscience. When attacked the Christian with a “good conscience” can be assured that there is no legitimate reason for am accusation. Compare Acts 23:1; 24:16; 1 Timothy 1:5, 19; 3:9. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Romans 2:15, 16 and the Biblical Article God and Your Conscience. |
| 2 | They may become ashamed: See notes on 1 Peter 2:12. [Titus 2:8] |
| 3 | Good conduct in Christ: Or, excellent conduct; good Christian behaviour. Genuine Christians are characterized by “good conduct” which the world cannot fault. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 1 Peter 3:16 as the theme verse of chapter three – Good Conscience. Peter now turns his attention to the conduct of Christian wives. They should strive to win over unbelieving husbands. [1-7] They should be submissive and try to win husbands “without a word” through their own “chaste conduct and deep respect.” Christian women should not dress and groom themselves with fancy hairdos and gold jewelry. They should remember that “a quiet and mild disposition” is highly approved by God. Peter offers Sarah as an example. He does not overlook husbands but writes that they should live with their wives in a knowing way, honoring them as the “feminine vessel.” Otherwise they own prayers could be hindered.
Peter urges Christians to show fellow feeling and brotherly love. [8, 9] He counsels to be sympathetic, affectionate to the fellowship, inclined to compassion, humble, not returning hurt for hurt or slander for slander. Bless others as those who will “inherit a blessing.” In this the tongue must be restrained in order to achieve peace. [10-12] Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16, “…cease to harm others with your tongue … for Yehowah’s face is against the harmful.” Christians should have a zeal for goodness and be ready to defend their Hope. [13-16] Suffer because of righteousness. Hold Christ holy in your heart so you can defend your hope in a mild and respectful way. If Christians “hold a good conscience” they will shame those who slander them.
Peter writes that it is better to suffer for being good, and how a good conscience is related to a saving baptism. [17-22] For Christ died as a righteous person for the unrighteous. He died as to the flesh but was resurrected a spirit-being. As such a spirit-being Christ preached to those spirit-beings imprisoned since the Flood. Noah’s being saved with his family through the deluge was something of a type of Christian baptism. Not a mere bathing of the unclean flesh but a pray to God for a good conscience. Peter alludes to Psalm 110:1 and Psalm 8:4 to prove that even angelic authorities became his subjects.
Abba the Father bless those with a good conscience.
[1 September 2002]
A life holy and pure is the best answer to false accusers.
