1 Peter 3:14

But and if. Or, “but even if.”

Righteousness’ sake. See on Matt. 5:10, 11; 1 Peter 2:20. Persecution would come and the believers should be prepared for it.

Happy. Gr. makarios, also translated “blessed” (see on Matt. 5:3).

Their terror. That is, their attempts to terrify you. This clause might be paraphrased, “Do not let them frighten you.” The Christian “hope of salvation” is a “helmet” (1 Thess. 5:8) designed to prevent a mortal blow to confidence in God’s power to deliver His people from the designs of evil men.

Troubled. Gr. tarasso, “to confuse,” “to disorder,” the same word used by Christ when He counseled His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1). We should never forget that God sits secure on the throne of the universe, holding the affairs of all dedicated men in His hand (cf. Rom. 8:31). Important textual evidence maybe cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of “neither be troubled.”