Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 PETER 3:11KJVWhat does 1 Peter 3:11 mean?
1 Peter 3:11 urges a person to turn away from evil, actively do what is good, and to seek and pursue peace. The verse calls for a deliberate choice to avoid wrong, to practice goodness, and to make peace a priority in one’s actions.
Peter, writing to Christians facing challenges and sometimes hostility, is quoting from Psalm 34 to encourage a way of life that stands out for its goodness and peacefulness. The verse is part of a larger section where Peter explains how believers should respond to others, especially in difficult circumstances, by choosing actions that reflect God’s character.
The Greek behind 1 Peter 3:11
- ἐκκλινάτω (ekklinátō, "eschew"): This word means to turn away or deliberately avoid. It carries the sense of a purposeful, active avoidance of evil, not just a passive disinterest.
- διωξάτω (diōxátō, "ensue"): The Greek here means to pursue or chase after, often with energy and intention. Seeking peace is not just hoping for it, but actively working toward it.
- κακόν (kakon, "evil") and ἀγαθόν (agathon, "good"): These words highlight a clear contrast between moral choices, emphasizing that the call is not just to avoid bad things but to positively do what is good.
Why 1 Peter 3:11 matters
- This verse clarifies that living rightly involves both avoiding harmful actions and intentionally doing good, not just one or the other.
- The emphasis on seeking and pursuing peace shows that peace is not accidental; it requires effort and persistence, especially in the face of conflict.
- In the wider context, Peter is encouraging believers to respond to hardship and mistreatment with actions that reflect Christ, setting a pattern for Christian conduct in a challenging world.