But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
But and if - `But if even.' The promises of this life extend only so far as is expedient for us: a qualification to the promise (1 Peter 3:10). 'If even ye should 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 promotes it (cf. Mark 10:30).
And, х de (G1161)] - 'but.' Do not impair your blessing (1 Peter 3:9) by fearing man's terror in adversity. Literally, 'Be not terrified with their terror,' which they try to strike into you, and which strikes themselves in adversity. Quoted from Isaiah 8:12-13. He that fears God has none else to fear.
Neither be troubled - the threat of the law (Leviticus 26:36; Deuteronomy 28:65-66); the Gospel gives a heart assured of God's favour, and therefore unruffled amidst adversities. Not only be not afraid, but not even agitated.