1 Peter 3:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is not within our power to keep any such thing entirely from entering the mind. Such thoughts often somehow come to it. But if a man is wise, he withdraws from them and inclines toward better things, which contain much profit. This, I think, is what "turn away from evil" means.

To show that the instruction he draws is not false, he confirms it by pointing to David's words. He says: whoever loves life, that is, whoever transforms himself for true life and wishes to show it lovable, should hold firmly to what the prophetic word also proposes with me. For the expression "loves" indicates that he wishes to show it desirable to men.

Here are the first counsels and introductory lessons of piety: strive to overcome the tongue, to abstain from deceitful designs, and to turn away from evil. Abstaining from evil is not fitting only for the perfect. Rather, the beginner must turn away from the impulse toward evil.

First, as from an evil path, one must withdraw from the habit of a corrupt life. Only then should one proceed to the doing of good works. It is impossible to take up the good without first withdrawing and wholly turning away from evil. Likewise, it is impossible to recover health without being freed from sickness [...]

Our healing and care are wholly directed toward the hidden man of the heart. Our warfare is with the enemy within us, who wars and contends against us, and who uses ourselves as weapons against us. This is the most terrible thing of all.

Then comes withdrawal from evil in general and the doing of good. Such people God blesses, and people love them. In this way their life also is ordered well.

Then follows a deliberate and rather extended instruction to the oppressed Christian sojourners of Asia Minor. It teaches them how to conduct themselves when attacked, and amid hostility from the pagans in general (1 Pet 3:9-13).

When the hateful feelings of the pagans are expressed outwardly, for example in words, then, “do not repay evil for evil, or reviling for reviling. On the contrary, bless, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For he who loves life and desires to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech... And who will harm you, if you become zealous for what is good?”

From positive counsels the apostle turns to prohibitions and commands them not to revile, but to bless. That is, they are to speak only good of people. “Bless those who curse you” (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:28), says Jesus Christ.

Yet the apostle also cites the word of the Psalmist, showing that evil speech disorders the whole of life. It destroys peace and sows evil (see Ps 33:13-17). Therefore, in the words of the Psalmist, he commands us to flee from evil and pursue peace (cf. Eph 2:14-15).

Only those who avoid evil in word and deed, and who pursue peace, are granted happiness in life. For they always live under the protection of God. His face and His ears are turned toward them.

The Lord also looks upon sinners, but not in this way. He looks wrathfully, to pronounce punishment and destruction upon them (cf. Ps 33 and Ps 2:12).