1 Peter 3:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The connection with the preceding instruction is this: finally, or to say it briefly, “be all of one mind,” and so forth, knowing that you have been called to bless all. Paul also says: “Bless those who persecute you” (Rom 12:14). Acting in this way, you will hear from all the name of those who bless; cf. Ps 36:20.

For one who thirsts for eternal life must not revile anyone with the tongue. Therefore David also persuades those who strongly desire to attain true life to keep their tongue from evil (Ps 33:14). When you order yourselves in this way, the Almighty will be merciful to you.

"All of one mind" means worldly kings, the servile people, heads of churches, monks, those who are subject, men, and women. As though the head of the whole world, Peter joins all ranks of the Church in concord through faith.

He no longer exhorts men and women separately, but sets forth for all in general the law of love, from which every virtue grows: compassion, mercy, humility, and the rest, which he disclosed in order.

Instead of saying, "Why go into particulars?" Peter says, "I simply address everyone." Hence the word "finally." Moreover, salvation is the common goal of all, and the law of love is one for all.

Since above he taught different people, representatives of different classes and opposite sexes, the distinction proper to each, he now exhorts them all together to be of one mind and one soul in the work of the Lord's faith.

“Finally”: having given particular instructions to servants, wives, and husbands, the Apostle offers instructions common to all, without distinction of rank or condition. The essence of these and the following instructions (verse 9 and beyond) is concentrated in one chief Christian commandment: love one another and do good to all.

“Be of one mind”: have the same way of thinking, both in relation to Christian teaching and in relation to Christian activity. Thus there should be no divisions or disagreements concerning matters of faith; cf. 1 Cor 1:8. Nor should there be misunderstandings in conduct; cf. 2 Cor 13:10; Phil 2:2. In general, there should be agreement in all things.

The duties of wives and husbands (1 Pet 3:1-8). To the former the Apostle commands submission to their husbands, so that by meekness and a pure life they may have a good influence on them. They are to adorn themselves not with outward braiding of hair or ornaments of gold, but with inward qualities of the heart, like the holy women, for example Sarah, who obeyed Abraham. To husbands he commands prudent and meek conduct toward their wives, as toward the weaker vessel and as toward fellow heirs of the life of grace.

After particular counsels, the Apostle indicates virtues that can adorn all Christians, both personally and in all their mutual relations. The virtues indicated by the Apostle are always necessary. Yet the first Christians had special need to be adorned with them, since they lived among pagans and astonished them by their life.

For this reason the pagans were sometimes perplexed over what to think of Christians and how to relate to them. Truly, in such circumstances Christians needed to help one another mutually and be adorned with all virtues. They had to be humble-minded, that is, aware of their outward weakness and great spiritual calling. They had to concentrate all their powers on the unfolding of the highest gifts of grace.

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, compassionate, lovers of the brethren, merciful, friendly, humble-minded, not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

The virtues indicated here are obligatory for all, whatever condition anyone may belong to. The Apostle commands all to be of one mind, that is, to have the same way of thinking in faith and not to turn aside from the one true faith.

He commands them to be compassionate, to rejoice with those who rejoice and to grieve with those who grieve. They are to be brotherly, treating every believer as a brother, for all are children of the heavenly Father by the grace of regeneration.