30. (a) Why is there no benefit in suffering for doing evil? (b) In connection with suffering for righteousness’ sake, why did Peter say, “if the will of God wishes it”?

³⁰ The fact that such benefits can come from faithfully bearing up under affliction for the sake of righteousness adds force to Peter’s next words: “For it is better to suffer because you are doing good, if the will of God wishes it, than because you are doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17) What merit could there be in a person’s suffering as a thief, an extortioner, a tax evader or as one who defies authority out of a false sense of piety or mistaken zeal? His being punished for this would only bring reproach on himself and his fellow believers. But a Christian’s patiently bearing up under unjust mistreatment can impress others with the sustaining power that upholds true worshipers and can muzzle misrepresentations of God’s truth and its upholders. Since the suffering that may befall a Christian comes on him by divine permission, Peter was not misrepresenting matters but said rightly, “if the will of God wishes it.”

25, 26. (a) Why can we be happy when suffering for the sake of righteousness? (b) Why should we not fear the object of our persecutors’ fear?

²⁵ Because of these truths, the apostle Peter could say to his Christian brothers: “Even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are happy. However, the object of their fear do not you fear, neither become agitated.”​—1 Peter 3:14.

²⁶ If we suffer “for the sake of righteousness,” we can be happy because we have a clean conscience before God and men. We suffer for the right reason. A deep inward satisfaction and peace result from doing what we know to be pleasing to the Most High. However, as the apostle noted, to do this successfully depends on not giving way to fear. The apostle may here refer to the fear persecutors can inspire by their bringing affliction on God’s people. Or, it could be the fear that the persecutors themselves have. For instance, because of not having faith that Jehovah God, through Christ, will resurrect the dead, the opponents of true Christians fear a threatened premature death. (Hebrews 2:14, 15) We servants of God, though, do not need to fear what unbelievers fear, as we have been freed from the fear of such a death and know that our heavenly Father will never forsake us. Therefore, we should not become “agitated,” as by rising up in anger against our persecutors.

27, 28. How can the counsel of 1 Peter 3:15 help us when brought before governmental officials and questioned in a harsh, belittling manner?

²⁷ What if we were to be brought before governmental authorities and questioned in a harsh, belittling manner? We would never want to retaliate in kind. Our confidence that God is backing us up may give us boldness, but it gives no excuse for belligerence or arrogance. (Compare Acts 4:5-20.) The apostle’s counsel is: “Sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) If we failed to heed this advice and allowed ourselves to express contempt and disrespect, we would cease to suffer for the sake of righteousness. The governmental authority would feel justified in acting against us for disrespectful insubordination. Worldlings burst out in irritation, anger and bitter resentment when they feel that their rights are abused. The Christian must be different.