For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

1 PETER 3:10KJV
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1 Peter 3:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Peter 3:10 mean?

1 Peter 3:10 teaches that anyone who wants to truly enjoy life and experience good days should be careful with their words, avoiding harmful speech and dishonesty. The verse highlights the importance of self-control in what we say as a key part of living well.

Peter is writing to early Christians facing challenges and encouraging them to live in a way that reflects their faith. He quotes from Psalm 34, reminding his readers that loving life and seeing good days is closely tied to how they speak and treat others. The focus is on practical wisdom for daily living, especially in difficult times.

The Greek behind 1 Peter 3:10

  • "love" (ἀγαπᾷ, agapaō): This Greek word means a deep, committed kind of love, not just a feeling. Here, it suggests a genuine desire to embrace life fully.
  • "refrain" (παυσάτω, pausatō): This word means to stop or hold back. The verse is urging readers to actively restrain their tongues from saying harmful things.
  • "guile" (δόλος, dolos): This term means deceit or trickery. The verse warns against using speech to mislead or manipulate others, highlighting honesty as essential for a good life.

Why 1 Peter 3:10 matters

  • 1 Peter 3:10 clarifies that enjoying life and having good days is not just about circumstances, but also about personal choices, especially in speech.
  • The verse connects the Old Testament wisdom of Psalm 34 to Christian living, showing continuity between Jewish and Christian teachings on ethical behavior.
  • It reminds readers that faith is practical, affecting everyday actions like speaking truthfully and avoiding harm with words, even when under pressure.

Where else these words appear

“lips” Greek G5491 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
  • Romans 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
  • Hebrews 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

“guile” Greek G1388 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
  • John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

“refrain” Greek G3973 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
  • Acts 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
  • 1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

“evil” Greek G2556 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
  • Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
  • Philippians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.