What does it mean to not repay evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9)?

In a larger teaching on what it means to be a witness for Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:11—3:12), the apostle Peter zeroes in on personal relationships (1 Peter 3:8–12). Here, he emphasizes harmony, humility, and love. Peter writes, “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” (1 Peter 3:9, ESV).

Earlier, Peter presented Jesus Christ as the believer’s example in not repaying evil for evil: “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. . . . He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly” (1 Peter 2:21–23, NLT).

Jesus taught us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us (see Luke 6:27–38). If Christ calls us to love our enemies, how much more are we called to love our brothers and sisters in the Lord? The apostle Paul echoed Peter’s teaching: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil” (Romans 12:14–17; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:15).

Not repaying evil with evil means refraining from retaliating or seeking revenge against those who wrong or mistreat us. Instead of responding to insults or evil actions with more insults or evil actions, Christians are instructed to show kindness and forgiveness and to bless others, returning good for evil. This attitude aligns with Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:38–48, where He teaches His followers to love their enemies and not to resist an evil person: “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well” (verses 39–40).

Jesus, Peter, and Paul understood that intense persecution would follow those who do God’s will. All three emphasized that believers should seek peace, pursue it actively, and maintain good behavior even in the face of evil, hostility, and persecution. Such a counterculture response to being wronged by another person breaks the cycle of revenge and demonstrates Christlike character.

To not repay evil for evil is to operate based on mercy, which is how God has treated us (Lamentations 3:22–23; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4–5; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3). Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). God did not “treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:10–12).

Jesus said that the evil treatment and persecutions we endure in this life only add to our blessings and reward in heaven: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10–12).

When people hurt us, it’s natural for us to want to hurt them back and try to get even. This is an ordinary human reaction rooted in our instinct to protect ourselves. However, such a response is natural only to those who depend on themselves and have not recognized that God is in control of every situation. Peter reminds Christians that they are called to be a blessing to the world and to fellow believers. They are to exemplify Christ’s love, mercy, and humility in the face of trials. If we are wounded, insulted, or persecuted, we must trust deeply in God and His sovereign control over every circumstance of our lives. For such a believer, there is another response, perfectly demonstrated by Jesus Christ—that is, not to repay evil for evil or insult with insult, but to respond with good.