What Does 1 Peter 3:8 Mean?

(8) **Finally, be ye all.**—A return from the special to the general. St. Peter has not, however, forgotten the *purpose* with which the former rules were given; his thought is still how to produce a right impression on the unbelieving world, although some of these injunctions touch only *internal* relations between members of the Church. “By this shall *all men*” says our Lord, “know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love *one to another”* (John 13:35); and, again, “That *they* all may be *one* . . . that the *world* may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21). Accordingly, this verse, like 1Peter 3:1; 1Peter 3:7, is attached to 1Peter 2:13, and should be translated, *Finally, being all.* **Of one mind.**—Or, *unanimous.* Though the Greek word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, the duty is enjoined often, *e.g., *Romans 12:16; 2Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:2. It involves an agreement not only in doctrine but in practical aims, the affections of all being in the same direction. This unanimity requires *expression* to be conscious, and therefore it strikes at the root of the reserve by which Christian people do not open out their hearts to each other in the matter of religion. Such unity of mind is no product of indifference, which Leighton describes as “not a knitting together, but a freezing together, as cold congregates all bodies how heterogeneous soever, sticks, stones, and water.” **Having compassion one of another.**—Literally, *sympathetic.* The word “compassion” has lost the meaning which it once had, and signifies little more than pity. Here the command includes the “rejoicing with them that do rejoice,” as much as the “weeping with them that weep” (Romans 12:15). The same word only occurs again in Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 10:34. **Love as brethren.**—Again a single adjective, *fraternal, *or, loving the brethren. For the meaning see 1Peter 1:22, Notes. **Be pitiful.**—Rather (omitting the word “be”), *tender-hearted.* So it is translated in Ephesians 4:32, the only other place where it occurs. It differs from “sympathetic “in being limited to yearnings over the afflicted. Strangely enough, in profane Greek, the word is only found to mean “strong-hearted.” **Be courteous.**—The injunction is so charming, and so appropriate in the mouth of St. Peter, that one is almost loth to correct the reading, and substitute (undoubtedly the right word) *humble-minded.* This adjective brings us back to that mutual *subjection* and complaisance which is the main subject of all these rules. Comp. also 1Peter 5:5.