having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good manner of life in Christ.

 We have already said that we are here face to face with one of the most difficult passages, not only in Peter's letter, but in the whole New Testament; and, if we are to grasp what it means, we must follow Peter's own advice and gird up the loins of our mind to study it. 