1 Peter 3:14

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, etc.] For the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, which was the great stumbling block to the Jews, and on account of which they persecuted the Christians; it being not after man, nor according to the carnal reason of men, and was contrary to the method they had fixed on, and what excluded boasting in them, and was thought to be a licentious doctrine; and for a righteous cause, for professing Christ and his Gospel; for vindicating both which, whoever did must expect to suffer persecution; and also for living soberly, righteously, and godly; for by a religious life and conversation the saints are separated from the world, and…”

“But and if--"But if even." "The promises of this life extend only so far as it is expedient for us that they should be fulfilled" [CALVIN]. So he proceeds to state the exceptions to the promise (Pe1 3:10), and how the truly wise will behave in such exceptional cases. "If ye should suffer"; if it should so happen; "suffer," a milder word than harm. for righteousness--"not the suffering, but the cause for which one suffers, makes the martyr" [AUGUSTINE]. happy--Not even can suffering take away your blessedness, but rather promotes it. and--Greek, "but." Do not impair your blessing (Pe1 3:9) by fearing man's terror in your times of adversity. Literally, "Be not terrified with their terror,"…”

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness” sake - Implying that though, in general, a holy character would constitute safety, yet that there was a possibility that they might suffer persecution. Compare the Matthew 5:10 note; 2 Timothy 3:12 note. Happy are ye - Perhaps alluding to what the Saviour says in Matthew 5:10; “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness” sake.” On the meaning of the word happy or blessed, see the notes at Matthew 5:3. The meaning here is, not that they would find positive enjoyment in persecution on account of righteousness, but that they were to regard it as a blessed condition; that is, as a condition that might be favorable to salvation; and they were…”

“But if ye should suffer - This is no harm to you, but a good. Fear ye not their fear - The very words of the Septuagint, Isa 8:12-13. Let not that fear be in you which the wicked feel. 1 Peter 3:15”

“3:14-15 or be afraid of their threats: See Isa 8:13, where God exhorts the prophet to fear nothing except the Lord. • worship Christ as Lord: By fearing Christ, they will be free from fear of their human persecutors.”

“if: Pe1 2:19, Pe1 2:20, Pe1 4:13-16; Jer 15:15; Mat 5:10-12, Mat 10:18-22, Mat 10:39, Mat 16:25, Mat 19:29; Mar 8:35, Mar 10:29; Luk 6:22, Luk 6:23; Act 9:16; Co2 12:10; Phi 1:29; Jam 1:12 and be: Isa 8:12, Isa 8:13, Isa 41:10-14, Isa 51:12; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9; Mat 10:28, Mat 10:31; Luk 12:4, Luk 12:5; Joh 14:1, Joh 14:27; Act 18:9, Act 18:10 1 Peter 3:15”