1Pe 3:9 | RWP | e4.org | Not rendering evil for evil ( μη αποδιδοντες κακον αντ κακου ). Μη and the present active participle of αποδιδωμ , to give back. The same phrase in and the same idea in . Peter may have obtained it from Paul or both from ; , "an approximation to Christ's repeal of the λεξ ταλιονις ( .) which Plato first opposed among the Greeks" (Hart). Common use of αντ for exchange. Reviling for reviling ( λοιδοριαν αντ λοιδοριας ). Allusion to (Christ's own example). But contrariwise blessing ( τουναντιον δε ευλογουντες ). Adverbial accusative and crasis ( το εναντιον ) of the neuter article and the adjective εναντιος ( εν, αντιος , opposite, ), "on the contrary." For ευλογουντες (present active participle of ευλογεω ) see ; (imperative ευλογειτε ). For hereunto were ye called ( οτ εις τουτο εκληθητε ). See for this verb and use of εις τουτο (pointing to the preceding argument). That ye should inherit a blessing ( ινα ευλογιαν κληρονομησητε ). Purpose clause with ινα and the first aorist active subjunctive of κληρονομεω , a plain reference to Esau, who wanted "to inherit the blessing" ( ) after he had sold his birthright. Christians are the new Israel (both Gentiles and Jews) and are the spiritual descendants of Isaac ( .).

‏ 1 Peter 3:9

Not rendering evil for evil ( μη αποδιδοντες κακον αντ κακου ). Μη and the present active participle of αποδιδωμ, to give back. The same phrase in Ro 12:17 and the same idea in 1Th 5:15. Peter may have obtained it from Paul or both from Pr 17:13; 20:22, "an approximation to Christ's repeal of the λεξ ταλιονις (Mt 5:38ff.) which Plato first opposed among the Greeks" (Hart). Common use of αντ for exchange.

Reviling for reviling ( λοιδοριαν αντ λοιδοριας ). Allusion to 2:23 (Christ's own example).

But contrariwise blessing ( τουναντιον δε ευλογουντες ). Adverbial accusative and crasis ( το εναντιον ) of the neuter article and the adjective εναντιος ( εν, αντιος, opposite, Mt 14:24), "on the contrary." For ευλογουντες (present active participle of ευλογεω ) see Lu 6:28; Ro 12:14 (imperative ευλογειτε ).

For hereunto were ye called ( οτ εις τουτο εκληθητε ). See 2:21 for this verb and use of εις τουτο (pointing to the preceding argument).

That ye should inherit a blessing ( ινα ευλογιαν κληρονομησητε ). Purpose clause with ινα and the first aorist active subjunctive of κληρονομεω, a plain reference to Esau, who wanted "to inherit the blessing" (Heb 12:17) after he had sold his birthright. Christians are the new Israel (both Gentiles and Jews) and are the spiritual descendants of Isaac (Ga 4:22ff.).