The term Peter uses is where we get our word “blaspheme” from. The direct object “you” is not present in the Greek and so the party being blasphemed is left unspecified. It could be “you” (the Christians) but could also be the Christ behind the Christian. Of course, it can also be both. To touch the Christian is to touch Christ, and vice-versa (think of the head/body distinction mentioned elsewhere in Scripture in relation to Christ and his people).
Such blasphemy
is understandable. The Gentiles took their gods very seriously, believing that bad weather, crop failure, illness, or barrenness were the gods’ response to being shortchanged by potential worshippers. So there was prudence in giving sacrifices to many gods. When Christians refused to present sacrifices or to participate in the festivals (all were religious), subsequent crop failure or plague must obviously be the Christians’ fault. So the Gentiles saw the Christians as a threat to prosperity and peace and so maligned and marginalized and even persecuted them.
4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;