1 Petrus 3:9

3:9 Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless ¹  others ²  because you were called to inherit a blessing.

1 Petrus 4:6

4:6 Now it was for this very purpose ³  that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, ⁴  so that though ⁵  they were judged in the flesh ⁶  by human standards ⁷  they may live spiritually ⁸  by God’s standards. ⁹ 

1 Petrus 4:13

4:13 But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed ¹⁰  you may also rejoice and be glad. ¹¹ 

1 Petrus 4:15-16

4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker. ¹²  4:16 But if you suffer as a Christian, ¹³  do not be ashamed, but glorify ¹⁴  God that you bear such a name. ¹⁵ 

[3:9]  ¹ tn Grk “not returning…but blessing,” continuing the sense of command from the preceding.

[3:9]  ² tn The direct object “others” is omitted but implied in Greek, and must be supplied to suit English style.

[4:6]  ³ tn Grk “since for this purpose the gospel was preached even to the dead,” referring to the purpose described in the clause to follow in v. 6b.

[4:6]  ⁴ sn In context the phrase those who are dead refers to those now dead who had accepted the gospel while they were still living and had suffered persecution for their faith. Though they “suffered judgment” in this earthly life (i.e., they died, in the midst of physical abuse from the ungodly), they will enjoy life from God in the spiritual, heavenly realm because of the gospel (v. 6b). It clearly does not assume a second chance for conversion offered to unbelievers who had died; why would Peter urge people to suffer in this life for the sake of the gospel if he believed that mercy would be extended to all the dead in the hereafter (cf. 2:7-8; 4:1-5, 12-19)?

[4:6]  ⁵ tn Grk “so that they may be judged…but may live.” Greek emphasizes the contrast between these two clauses more than can be easily expressed in English.

[4:6]  ⁶ tn Or “in their earthly lives,” since “flesh” here denotes the physical, earthly life. The phrase “in the flesh” is retained to preserve the links with 3:18 and 4:1 which use the same wording.

[4:6]  ⁷ tn Grk “according to men.”

[4:6]  ⁸ tn Grk “in spirit,” referring to the heavenly, eternal realm of existence (cf. 3:18).

[4:6]  ⁹ tn Grk “according to God.”

[4:13]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “in the revelation of his glory.”

[4:13]  ¹¹ tn The verb “be glad” is used also in 1:6 and 1:8. The verbs of v. 13b are used together in Matt 5:12 and Rev 19:7.

[4:15]  ¹² tn The meaning of the Greek word used here is uncertain. It may mean “spy, informer,” “revolutionary,” or “defrauder, embezzler.” But the most likely meaning is “busybody, one who meddles in the affairs of others, troublesome meddler.” The translation given in the text is intended to suggest this general idea.

[4:16]  ¹³ tn The verb is implied by the context but not expressed; Grk “but if as a Christian.”

[4:16]  ¹⁴ tn These are third-person imperatives in Greek (“if [one of you suffers] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed…let him glorify”), but have been translated as second-person verbs since this is smoother English idiom.

[4:16]  ¹⁵ tn Grk “in this name.”