In 2:2-3:12, Peter tackles the subject of living for Christ. In 3:8-12, he summarizes principles/ideals of Christian living, supporting them by quoting Psalm 34:12-16. Then, in 3:13-22 he gets into the issue of unjustified suffering. The passage has two parts, 3:13-17, and 3:18-22. In our passage for study, Peter wants his readers to understand that, although they may act in a good and right way toward others, they may still suffer. Suffering for doing right is something we may all have to experience. Such is within the plan of God for his people. So when it occurs, we must not be overly distressed. We must be ready, willing and able to speak for Christ, and at the same time, make sure our life is honouring to him.

v13. The opening verse of this section serves as a rhetorical question, although its meaning is unclear. Peter may be implying that if we do good then the chances are little trouble will come our way. Then again, he may be asking - who is there who can do us real evil? Such evildoers may hurt the body, but not the soul.

v14. If we are attacked, though we are acting rightly, we are blessed. Suffering is promised, 2Tim.3:12, and "happy is the man" who suffers for righteousness' sake, Matt.5:10-12. We are blessed, or happy, in the sense of highly privileged. We are not to see it as God's neglect, but rather his favour. And when it comes we must not fear. We must not be caught up in their panic. The persecutors, out of fear for their own safety, join the mob and inflict pain on the innocent. Yet, our ultimate safety rests with God and so we have no need to fear what they fear.

v15a. So, instead of being overcome by fear, we must acknowledge as holy ("set apart" - adore, or worship), Christ as Lord, ie. worship him as God. We should do this in our hearts. Jesus is present with his gathered people and he is present in our inner selves. Where he is present, his people respond in adoration.

v15b. Living in such a confident way may well prompt a question concerning the origin of our confidence. This is when we must be ready to speak for Jesus. Peter actually uses a word meaning "formal defense." The English word "apology" comes from this Greek word, along with the technical word "apologetics" - a reasoned defence of the Christian faith. What's being asked of us is to know and understand the gospel and be willing and able to give a reasoned (logical) account for our reliance on Christ. When we do this, we must do it without arrogance or self-assertion.

v16. If we are to speak well of Jesus, then we have to behave well. Our witness will be compromised if our behavior is compromised. If we can maintain this behavior, even when slandered, then those who malign and persecute us may come themselves to recognize the hand of God in our lives.

v17. In the end, it is better to suffer as if we were an evil-living person, than if we were actually such a person. An evil person gets what they deserve. So, it is better to suffer as a good person than as an evil one.

Jesus calls on us to release his indwelling Spirit within our lives so that, motivated by his compelling character of love, we might begin to realize the kingdom of God within our moment in eternity. Our life will therefore be marked by good and helpful deeds. So, the chances are that we will not have to face societal slander or persecution. But of course, we do live in an imperfect world. In serving Jesus we will end up laying aside much of the bounty of this wonderful creation. Some of our time, energy, money, talent, will be redirected from our own personal use to the kingdom. That's suffering enough, but then we also have to face the irrational hatred of a guilty and condemned humanity. Yet, if suffering comes our way because we walk hand in hand with Christ, we know that there will come a day when the blessings that are ours in Christ will far outweigh the present troubles. So, we need not be afraid of personal criticism and abuse, physical harm or material loss. These are the things that worry those who are of the world. Those bound to this age fear the loss of worldly status and security, but our security is in Jesus. Therefore, we need not be filled with fear, rather let us look to Jesus our Lord and King and rest on him for our security.

In the midst of troubled times Jesus asks us to communicate the gospel of the kingdom. One of the primary ways we do this is by explaining our expectations concerning the dawning kingdom, both for now and the future. That is, we explain the core of the gospel which concerns the "now", and "not yet" blessings of the kingdom. We should do this in a way that does not infringe the personal space of another individual; we are not told to impose ourselves and our message on others. In fact, we are told to explain the gospel when asked to do so. So, we speak of our faith gently and with respect toward those who hear. We do it rightly, even though our actions may be interpreted otherwise. We may well be slandered for acting in this way, but ultimately, those who slander our behavior will be put to shame before the Judge of the Universe.

So then, we may suffer for doing good, but then such suffering leads to glory. To suffer with that expectation far outshines suffering brought on because of evil behavior.

1. Identify the issue which was causing fear in this passage.

2. In v15-17 Peter makes a number of good points regarding witnessing. Discuss:

i) Any clue as to the content of the message;

ii) Method of presentation. (Methodology).

3. Why are we so afraid to give a "reason for the hope that" is in us? How do we overcome this fear?