1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 3:8-15

The apostle here passes from special to more general exhortations. I. He teaches us how Christians and friends should treat one another. He advises Christians to be all of one mind, to be unanimous in the belief of the same faith, and the practice of the same duties of religion; and, whereas the Christians at that time were many of them in a suffering condition, he charges them to have compassion one of another, to love as brethren, to pity those who were in distress, and to be courteous to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 3:16-17

The confession of a Christian's faith cannot credibly be supported but by the two means here specified?a good conscience and a good conversation. conscience is good when it does its office well, when it is kept pure and uncorrupt, and clear from guilt; then it will justify you, though men accuse you. A good conversation in Christ is a holy life, according to the doctrine and example of Christ. ?Look well to your conscience, and to your conversation; and then, though men speak evil of you, and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 3:13-15

3:13-15a Who will hurt you, if you are ardent lovers of goodness? Even if you do have to suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. Have no fear of them; do not be troubled; but in your hearts give Christ a unique place. In this passage we can see how Peter was soaked in the Old Testament; there are two Old Testament foundations for it. It is not so much that he actually quotes them, as that he could not have written the passage at all unless the Old Testament had been in his... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 3:15

3:15b-16 Always be prepared to make your defence to anyone who calls you to account concerning the hope that is in you; but do so with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame. In a hostile and suspicious world it was inevitable that the Christian would be called upon to defend the faith he held and the hope by which he lived. Here Peter has certain things to say about this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts ,.... Still referring to Isaiah 8:13 not by making him holy, which need not, nor cannot be, he being essentially, infinitely, and perfectly holy; but by declaring and proclaiming his holiness, as the seraphim in Isaiah's prophecy, and the four living creatures in the Revelation did; and by glorifying of him, praising and applauding all his perfections, and among the rest, this of his holiness, and giving thanks at the remembrance of it; which he has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 3:16

Having a good conscience ,.... Meaning not the faculty of the conscience itself, which is naturally evil, and defiled with sin, and is only made good by the sanctification of the Spirit, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, by which the heart is sprinkled from it, and that itself purged from dead works; but a life and conversation according to the dictates of such a conscience, in the uprightness and sincerity of it, and by the grace of God, and according to the Gospel, and whereby the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts - To sanctify God may signify to offer him the praises due to his grace, but as to sanctify literally signifies to make holy, it is impossible that God should be thus sanctified. We have often already seen that ἁγιαζω signifies to separate from earth, that is, from any common use or purpose, that the thing or person thus separated may be devoted to a sacred use. Perhaps we should understand Peter's words thus: Entertain just notions of God; of his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:16

Having a good conscience - The testimony of God in your own soul, that in simplicity and godly sincerity you have your conversation in the world. See on the term conscience at the end of Hebrews. Whereas they speak evil of you - See the same sentiment in 1 Peter 2:11 ; and the note there. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:15

Verse 15 Though this is a new precept, it yet depends on what is gone before, for he requires such constancy in the faithful, as boldly to give a reason for their faith to their adversaries. And this is a part of that sanctification which he had just mentioned; for we then really honor God, when neither fear nor shame hinders us from making a profession of our faith. But Peter does not expressly bid us to assert and proclaim what has been given us by the Lord everywhere, and always and among... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:16

Verse 16 16With meekness This is a most necessary admonition; for unless our minds are endued with meekness, contentions will immediately break forth. And meekness is set in opposition to pride and vain ostentation, and also to excessive zeal. To this he justly adds fear; for where reverence for God prevails, it tames all the ferocity of our minds, and it will especially cause us to speak calmly of God’s mysteries. For contentious disputes arise from this, because many think less honourably... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 3:8-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 3:16-17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 3:13-15

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 3:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 3:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 3:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:16

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