A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 Peter 3:17

"For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing." — 1 Peter 3:17 (ASV)

Better (κρειττον). Comparative of κρατυς as in 2 Peter 2:21; Hebrews 1:4. Patient endurance not only silences calumny (verse 16), is Christlike (verse 18), but it has a value of its own (verse 17).

If the will of God should so will (ε θελο το θελημα του θεου). Condition of the fourth class again (ει--θελο) with ε and the optative. For a like pleonasm see Joh 7:17.

For well-doing than for evil-doing (αγαθοποιουντας η κακοποιουντας). Accusative plural agreeing with υμας understood (accusative of general reference with the infinitive πασχειν (to suffer) of the participles from αγαθοποιεω and κακοποιεω (Mr 3:4, and see 1 Peter 2:14 for κακοποιος).