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1 Peter 3:14 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹⁴But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

But and if you suffer for righteousness’ sake. Implying that, though, in general, a holy character would constitute safety, yet that there was a possibility that they might suffer persecution. Comp. Notes, Matt. 5:10; 2 Tim. 3:12.

You will be blessed. Perhaps alluding to what the Savior says in Matt. 5:10: ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.’ On the meaning of the word happy or blessed, see Notes on Matt. 5:3. The meaning here is, not that they would find positive enjoyment in persecution on account of righteousness but that they were to regard it as a blessed condition; that is, as a condition that might be favorable to salvation, and they were not, therefore, on the whole, to regard it as an evil.

Have no fear of them. Of anything which they can do to cause terror. There is evidently an allusion here to Isa. 8:12, 13: ‘Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear and let him be your dread.’ See Notes on that passage. Comp. Isa. 51:12; Matt. 10:28.

Nor be troubled. With apprehension of danger. Comp. Notes, John 14:1. If we are true Christians, we have really no reason to be alarmed in view of anything that can happen to us. God is our protector, and he is abundantly able to vanquish all our foes; to uphold us in all our trials; to conduct us through the valley of death, and to bring us to heaven. ‘All things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come,’ 1 Cor. 3:21, 22.

By Albert Barnes and Edward D. Andrews