The structure of 1 Peter 3:13–17

The structure of 1 Peter 3:13–17 is as follows:

• An assurance of no ultimate, permanent harm to the church of Christ (1 Peter 3:13)

• A sure certainty of God’s reward to the church if it suffers for the sake of righteousness (1 Peter 3:14a)

• An exhortation to the church about how to practically respond to suffering (1 Peter 3:14–16a)

• The correct response to suffering will put the perpetrators to shame (1 Peter 3:16b)

• It is better to suffer for doing good, for the sake of the Lord, than doing evil (1 Peter 3:17)

1 Peter 3:13–17 may be divided into two parts, namely, the assurance (vv. 13–14a, 17) and the admonition (vv. 14b–16).¹