Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 3:9

"not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing." — 1 Peter 3:9 (ASV)

Not rendering evil for evil. (See Barnes on Matthew 5:39; Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:17).

Or railing for railing. (See Barnes on 1 Timothy 6:4; Luke 23:39).

But on the contrary, blessing. That is, in a spirit contrary to this. (See Barnes on Matthew 5:44).

Knowing that you are called to this, that you should inherit a blessing.

"Knowing that you were called to be Christians in order that you should obtain a blessing infinite and eternal in the heavens. Expecting such a blessing yourselves, you should be ready to scatter blessings on all others. You should be ready to bear all their reproaches, and even to wish them well. The hope of eternal life should make your minds calm; and the prospect that you are to be so exalted in heaven should fill your hearts with benignity and love."

There is nothing that is better fitted to cause our hearts to overflow with benignity, to make us ready to forgive all others when they forgive us, than the hope of salvation.

Cherishing such a hope ourselves, we cannot help but wish that all others may share it, and this will lead us to wish for them every blessing.

A man who has a hope of heaven should abound in every virtue and show that he is a sincere well-wisher of the race. Why should one who expects soon to be in heaven harbor malice in his bosom? Why should he wish to injure a fellow-worm? How can he?