Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, on 1Pet 3:16

“But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

“Having a good conscience--the secret spring of readiness to give account of our hope. So hope and good conscience go together in Act 24:15-16. Profession without practice has no weight. But those who have a good conscience can afford to give an account of their hope "with meekness." whereas-- (Pe1 2:12). they speak evil of you, as of evildoers--One oldest manuscript reads, "ye are spoken against," omitting the rest. falsely accuse--"calumniate"; the Greek expresses malice shown in deeds as well as in words. It is translated, "despitefully use," Mat 5:44; Luk 6:28. conversation--life, conduct. in Christ--who is the very element of your life as Christians. "In Christ" defines "good." It is your good walk as Christians, not as citizens, that calls forth malice (Pe1 4:4-5, Pe1 4:14).”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.