Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Peter 3:16

Eastern Fathers

Oecumenius

"Having a good conscience." That is, while you are well aware of yourselves and not evil, as those who slander you are. "that when they defame you." That is, those who create trouble with words, harshly investigating.

Commentary on 1 Peter ↗

Western Saints

Bede

So that when they malign you as evildoers, etc. So that those who jeer at your faith and hope in heavenly things they cannot see, may see your good works, and by these be put to shame because they cannot deny they are openly good. Or certainly it should be understood this way: Ensure, by doing good, that those who disparage your good conduct, at the coming time of future retribution, may be put to shame, seeing you crowned with Christ, while they are damned with the devil.

Commentary on the Catholic Epistles ↗