For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Better. Say not, I would not bear it so ill if I deserved it. It is better that you do not deserve it, that doing well, yet being spoken against, you may prove yourself a true Christian (Gerhard). If the will of God be so. [Optative: theloi (G2309) is in 'Aleph (') A B C, 'if the will of God should will it so.'] Those who honour God's will as their highest law (1 Peter 2:15) have the comfort to know that suffering is God's appointment (1 Peter 4:19). Our will does not wish it.