"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
— 1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
1 Peter 3:9 is the "do not repay evil with evil" verse, Peter's answer to how believers should respond when they are wronged or insulted. This page gives the verse, what the key words mean, where it sits in 1 Peter 3, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about loving your enemies, Bible verses about blessings, and Bible verses about forgiveness.
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The verse
The King James reads: "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
"Repay" ("rendering") is apodidōmi (G591), to give back. "Evil" is kakos (G2556). "Insult" ("railing") is loidoria (G3059), abusive speech. "On the contrary" is tounantion (G5121). The first "blessing" is the verb eulogeō (G2127), to bless, and the second is the noun eulogia (G2129). "Called" is kaleō (G2564), and "inherit" is klēronomeō (G2816).
Where it sits in 1 Peter 3
The verse just before sums up how believers should treat each other: "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble" (1 Peter 3:8).
Right after, Peter quotes Psalm 34 to back it up: "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it" (1 Peter 3:10-11). Earlier he pointed to Jesus as the example: "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate" (1 Peter 2:23).
What the verse is saying
Peter names the two easy responses to being wronged, paying back harm with harm and paying back insults with insults, and rules both out. In their place he puts blessing: speaking well of the person and asking God to do them good.
He also gives the reason. Believers were "called" to this, and they will "inherit a blessing" from God. Since God has blessed them so freely, they can afford to bless others. Paul says the same in Romans 12:14 and Romans 12:21, and Jesus taught it in Luke 6:27-28.
Questions people ask
What does 1 Peter 3:9 say?
In the NIV it says, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." The KJV begins, "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing."
What does "repay evil with blessing" mean?
It means answering harm with good words and prayer instead of revenge or a sharp comeback. You ask God to bless the person who wronged you rather than trying to get even.
What blessing do we inherit in 1 Peter 3:9?
Peter does not list it in this verse, but the letter speaks of "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade" kept in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). Verses 10-12 add the good days and God's attention that come to those who seek peace.
How do you not repay insult with insult?
Pause before answering, keep your words honest and calm, and choose not to return the jab. A gentle answer, as Proverbs 15:1 says, turns away wrath. Praying for the person afterward helps keep bitterness from settling in.
What verses go with 1 Peter 3:9?
Romans 12:14 (bless those who persecute you), Romans 12:21 (overcome evil with good), and Luke 6:27-28 (love your enemies) are close companions.
