What is the significance of the word “for” in the second half of the verse?
1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
9Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
With this little word the apostle provides the motive for his instruction not to repay evil for evil but instead to bless. That reason is caught in the clause, “To this you were called.”
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.