The particular word Peter uses here means literally to “speak well of.” In the context of the term “reviling,” this term is striking. When your opponent puts you down, you are meant to respond by lifting him up (of course, without sarcasm). Since what comes out of the Christian’s heart (bless
) is to be sincere (1 Peter 2:1), the implication of this attitude is also that the Christian seeks God’s blessing on his opponent, that is, he seeks his repentance and rebirth.
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.