1 Peter 3:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Complete Jewish Bible:

turn from evil and do good,
seek peace and chase after it.

Berean Standard Bible:

He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

American Standard Version:

And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Let him eschew^{{G1578}{G575}} evil^{G2556}, and^{G2532} do^{G4160} good^{G18}; let him seek^{G2212} peace^{G1515}, and^{G2532} ensue^{G1377} it^{G846}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Peter 3:11

1 Peter 3:11 is part of a letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter, written to encourage and guide early Christians who were facing various trials and persecutions. The verse itself is a concise directive that encapsulates key ethical teachings consistent with the broader message of the New Testament.

The historical context of this letter is the first century AD, a time when the fledgling Christian community was often marginalized and subjected to hostility within the Roman Empire. Peter's letter serves as a pastoral exhortation to these believers, providing them with practical advice on how to live out their faith in a non-Christian society.

In 1 Peter 3:11, the themes of moral conduct and peaceful engagement are central. The verse calls upon believers to actively turn away from evil and to pursue good deeds. This reflects the Christian mandate to live righteous lives, emulating the moral excellence and love exemplified by Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the pursuit of peace. It encourages Christians not only to seek peace but also to be diligent in maintaining it. This is particularly relevant in situations of conflict or oppression, where the natural response might be to retaliate or harbor resentment. Instead, believers are urged to be proactive peacemakers, fostering harmony within their communities and with their neighbors.

The instruction to "eschew evil, and do good; seek peace, and ensue it" serves as a succinct summary of Christian ethics, emphasizing personal responsibility and the pursuit of harmony. It reflects the teachings of Jesus, such as the Sermon on the Mount, where similar principles of non-retaliation, love for enemies, and the pursuit of reconciliation are taught (Matthew 5-7). This verse, therefore, encapsulates the Christian call to live out a life of virtue and peace, even in the face of adversity, as a testament to their faith and as a witness to the world.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1578
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκκλίνω
   Transliteration: ekklínō
   Pronunciation: ek-klee'-no
   Description: from ἐκ and κλίνω; to deviate, i.e. (absolutely) to shun (literally or figuratively), or (relatively) to decline (from piety):--avoid, eschew, go out of the way.
   
2. Strong's Number: G575
   There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀπό
   Transliteration: apó
   Pronunciation: apo'
   Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2556
   There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κακός
   Transliteration: kakós
   Pronunciation: kak-os'
   Description: apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas πονηρός properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious:--bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
6. Strong's Number: G18
   There are 929 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀγαθός
   Transliteration: agathós
   Pronunciation: ag-ath-os'
   Description: a primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun):--benefit, good(-s, things), well. Compare καλός.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2212
   There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ζητέω
   Transliteration: zētéō
   Pronunciation: dzay-teh'-o
   Description: of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Compare πυνθάνομαι.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1515
   There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰρήνη
   Transliteration: eirḗnē
   Pronunciation: i-ray'-nay
   Description: probably from a primary verb (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1377
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διώκω
   Transliteration: diṓkō
   Pronunciation: dee-o'-ko
   Description: a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb (to flee; compare the base of δειλός and διάκονος); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute:--ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.
   
10. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.