But even if you should suffer is in the optative mode, which is rarely used in this letter (used also in verse 17) and in other literature of that time. There are three possible interpretations arising out of this rare grammatical construction. (1) Peter may be saying that it is possible, although unlikely, that the Christians will suffer for doing what is right. Against this interpretation is the fact that he has already mentioned more than once that his readers are indeed suffering (compare 2.12; 2.19), and the implication then is that they are suffering because of doing wrong. (2) The use of the optative mode can be explained as a tactful way by which Peter addresses his readers with regard to suffering. (3) Perhaps Peter was anticipating that what he said in verse 13 could be misunderstood as exempting Christians from any kind of suffering, and he immediately adds that suffering is indeed a possibility, and suffering for doing right is something that Christians should count as a privilege. This third alternative is attractive in that it fits the context much better than the other two.
As in other contexts if you should suffer may be rendered as “if others should cause you to suffer” or “if others should harm you.”
For doing what is right is literally “because of righteousness” (compare Matt 5.10). For “righteousness,” see 2.24. Here as there, it is synonymous with “doing good” or “doing what a Christian should do” (compare Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “doing what God wants”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “your straight life”).
The phrase for doing what is right may be effectively translated in a number of languages by introducing it as a clause of cause, for example, “because you do what is right” or “because you do what you should” or “… what God wants you to do.”
How happy you are is literally “you are blessed.” “Blessed” (Greek makarios) is the same word used in the Beatitudes (Matt 5.3 and following) and is used to describe the benefits bestowed by someone (usually a higher power) to another; these benefits include prosperity, good fortune, and happiness. (See further Newman, “Some translational notes on the Beatitudes,” TBT 26, page 112.) Most translations render the word “happy”; some others have “you will count it a blessing” (Jerusalem Bible); “that is a privilege” (Phillips).
Rather than the exclamation how happy you are!, some languages employ a positive statement with some type of intensive element, for example, “you are indeed happy” or “you are surely fortunate.”
Do not be afraid of anyone is literally “do not be afraid of them” (Revised Standard Version; compare Jerusalem Bible, Phillips, Barclay, Moffatt, Knox), which is a quotation from Isaiah 8.12. It is interesting to note here that the quotation agrees with the Hebrew text against the Septuagint (the Hebrew has “them” referring to the people, whereas the Septuagint has “him” perhaps referring to the king of Assyria). Since Peter usually quotes from the Septuagint, he may have made the change in order to suit his purpose; but it is also possible that he was using a text with “them” in it. At any rate, “them” may refer specifically to those who were creating all kinds of difficulties for the Christians, or in a general sense to anyone (compare Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, New American Bible). Some take “them” as impersonal referring to evil, terror, threats (Phillips, Knox, Barclay), but the personal interpretation is preferred as more fitting to the context.
Rather than translating anyone as a reference to an indefinite person or persons, one may be justified in making the reference somewhat more specific in view of the context, for example, “do not be afraid of those who may harm you” or “… cause you to suffer.”
Do not worry is literally “not be troubled” with “troubled” having the meaning of “disturbed,” “terrified,” (Barclay) “frightened,” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy) “distressed,” “upset.” Do not worry is frequently expressed idiomatically, for example, “do not let your mind kill you” or “do not let your thoughts run about in all directions” or “thinking about all the things that might happen to you.”
Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The First Letter from Peter. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .