1 Peter 3:14.— The apostle, in the last verse, had strongly insinuated that no man would harm the followers of that which is good; but, as the Christians were still persecuted, or in danger of it, St. Peter here adds, that if, after all their care to behave inoffensively, they suffer even for their goodness, theyhad no reason to be dejected; for their reward would be great; and to suffer for well-doing was likewise following the example of Christ, who suffered death, though he was guilty of no crime, nay, was always doing good: for even in former ages, he inspired Noah to preach to that wicked generation which perished in the flood; though few of them were reclaimed: and he now had granted men the light of the gospel, though many persecuted his disciples, and few, comparatively speaking, accepted the offers of mercy. 1 Peter 3:14-22.
Be not afraid, &c.— These words are taken by St. Peter from the LXX. of Isaiah 8:12 and accommodated to his present purpose. As the Jews of old were to rely on God, and not to make a confederacy with the king of Assyria, or fear the threats of the two kings of Syria and Israel, so these persecuted Christians were not to fall in with any of the idolatrous or wicked customs of their persecutors, whether Heathens or Jews,but steadily to trust in God, and adhere to the pure Christian religion. Though the Jews should accuse them, and drag them before the heathen tribunals: though the heathen magistrates should condemn them to pay fines, or suffer confiscation of goods, proscriptions, imprisonment, banishment, or even death itself, yet they were not to be so far afraid of all their threats or ill usage, as to forsake Christianity, or to commit any thing wicked, anything unworthy of the Christian character. See Philippians 1:28.