What Does 1 Peter 3:14 Mean in the King James?

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1 Peter 3:14 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Greek says, “do not fear their fear”: the terror around you can be real without becoming the authority that defines your life.

THE MEANING

Flourishing is still possible while you suffer for alignment with what is right; pain does not erase it. The threat may be real, but its fear does not have to become the measure within you.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that suffering for doing what is right proves you have lost the good.

THE ROOT

φοβηθῆτε

phobēthēte

GROWS FROM

φοβ-

phob-

Fear, alarm, or apprehension.

“afraid / terror” in this verse is phobēthēte. The verse repeats the same root in “be afraid” and “their terror,” though the English uses different words. The echo shows that the fear surrounding you need not become your own.

ALSO GROWS

phobeomai: to fear or be afraid

φοβέομαι

This is the verb behind “be afraid,” linking the reader’s response to the terror named next.

phobos: fear or terror

φόβος

This is the noun behind “their terror”; it shares the root of “be afraid,” restoring the repetition English conceals.

μακάριοι

makarioi

GROWS FROM

μακαρ-

makar-

Flourishing, fortunate; a state of well-being.

“happy” in this verse is makarioi. This names flourishing, not a claim that suffering feels pleasant. The verse places flourishing beside suffering, so pain does not automatically cancel the good present in a life aligned with what is right.

ALSO GROWS

makarios: flourishing or fortunate

μακάριος

This is the singular form of the word translated “happy,” carrying the same declaration of flourishing.

makarizō: to call flourishing or fortunate

μακαρίζω

This related verb shows flourishing as something recognized and named, not merely a passing feeling.

δικαιοσύνης

dikaiosynēs

GROWS FROM

δικαι-

dikai-

Justice and right relation; alignment with what is right.

“Righteousness” carries the sense of alignment with what is right. The verse speaks of suffering because of that alignment, while still calling the sufferer flourishing.

ALSO GROWS

dikaios: just or right

δίκαιος

This related word names the quality of being in right relation, which gives “righteousness” its sense of alignment.

dikaioō: to justify or vindicate

δικαιόω

This branch connects the root’s language of what is right with being recognized or shown to be in the right.

THE PATTERN

A threat can be real without being allowed to define flourishing or command fear.

Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

Isaiah 8:12 · KJVThe verse repeats “their fear” and “be afraid,” showing that the threat’s fear does not have to become your fear.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10 · KJVFlourishing remains alongside persecution for righteousness’ sake.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 5:41 · KJVThe verse holds shame and rejoicing together, showing that suffering does not automatically extinguish joy.

THE THREAD

Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

Isaiah 8:12 · KJV

The KJV gives “fear” and “be afraid,” while the Greek repeats the same ⁨φοβ-⁩ (phob-, fear) root. That repeated wording makes the point plain: the threat’s fear does not have to become your fear.

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