1 Peter 3:10

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} he that will {G2309} love {G25} life {G2222}, and {G2532} see {G1492} good {G18} days {G2250}, let him refrain {G3973} his {G846} tongue {G1100} from {G575} evil {G2556}, and {G2532} his {G846} lips {G5491} that they speak {G2980} no {G3361} guile {G1388}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For

“Whoever wants to love life and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,

Berean Standard Bible

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

American Standard Version

For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Peter 3:10 serves as a direct exhortation to believers, linking the universal human desire for a fulfilling and blessed life with the disciplined control of one's speech. Drawing from Old Testament wisdom, Peter asserts that those who genuinely wish to experience "good days" must actively restrain their tongue from malicious or harmful words and ensure their lips speak with integrity, free from deceit or trickery. This verse underscores the profound spiritual and practical impact of our communication on our well-being and witness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Peter's broader instruction on righteous living in the face of suffering. Immediately preceding it, in [1 Peter 3:8-9](/1_peter/3-8-9 "1 Peter 3:8-9 - Call to Unity and Blessing"), Peter calls believers to unity, sympathy, love, compassion, and humility, specifically urging them not to repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but instead to bless. [Verse 10](/1_peter/3-10 "1 Peter 3:10 - The Power of Righteous Speech") then introduces the *reason* or *motivation* for such conduct, directly quoting [Psalm 34:12-16](/psalms/34-12-16 "Psalm 34:12-16 - The Blessings of Righteousness"). By quoting this well-known Psalm, Peter anchors his New Covenant instructions in the enduring wisdom of the Old Testament, demonstrating that the pursuit of a blessed life has always been intrinsically linked to ethical conduct, particularly in speech. The subsequent verses in [1 Peter 3](/1_peter/3 "1 Peter 3 - Living Righteously in a Hostile World") continue to elaborate on the believer's response to suffering, emphasizing the importance of a good conscience and a readiness to give an account for their hope.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First Peter was written to scattered Christians in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), who were facing various forms of social ostracism and persecution. In a society where verbal attacks, slander, and false accusations were common tools against the nascent Christian community, Peter's emphasis on controlling the tongue was not merely a general moral precept but a vital instruction for survival and witness. Uncontrolled, malicious speech could exacerbate tensions, invite further persecution, and damage the internal unity of the church. Conversely, righteous and truthful speech, even in the face of adversity, served as a powerful testimony to the transforming power of Christ. Furthermore, ancient Jewish wisdom, deeply familiar to Peter's audience, consistently highlighted the power of the tongue, as seen in the [book of Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Life") and the [Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs of Praise and Wisdom"), making this a culturally resonant and biblically grounded appeal.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several key themes within [1 Peter](/1_peter "The First Epistle of Peter - Hope in Suffering"). Primarily, it reinforces the theme of **righteous living** as a pathway to divine blessing, even amidst suffering. It highlights the **power of the tongue**, asserting that speech is not a neutral act but a potent force capable of either building up or tearing down, bringing peace or conflict. This connects to the broader theme of **Christian witness**, as the believer's speech reflects their inner character and their allegiance to Christ. The desire for "good days" also touches on the theme of **eschatological hope** and **present well-being**, suggesting that while ultimate fulfillment awaits, God's blessings can be experienced in the present through obedient living. Finally, by quoting [Psalm 34](/psalms/34 "Psalm 34 - A Psalm of Deliverance"), Peter emphasizes the **continuity of God's moral law and promises** across the Old and New Covenants.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** This word signifies a deep, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love, often characterized by active goodwill. In this context, "to love life" means not merely to exist or cling to existence, but to genuinely desire and pursue a life that is truly good, blessed, and aligned with God's purposes. It implies a valuing of life in its fullest, most abundant sense.
* **life (Greek, _zōḗ'_):** This term refers to life in its broadest sense—physical existence, but often, especially in the New Testament, it denotes spiritual, eternal, and abundant life. Here, it encompasses a holistic sense of well-being, vitality, and flourishing, both in the present earthly existence ("good days") and with an implicit connection to the quality of one's spiritual life. It is distinct from _psychē_ (soul/natural life).
* **guile (Greek, _dólos'_)::** This word describes deceit, trickery, cunning, or treachery. It refers to speech that is not straightforward or honest, but rather intended to mislead, manipulate, or entrap. It implies a lack of sincerity and integrity in communication, contrasting sharply with the transparency and truthfulness expected of believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he that will love life,"**: This clause introduces the premise, acknowledging the innate human desire for a good and fulfilling existence. The phrase "will love" (from _thélō_ and _agapáō_) suggests a conscious choice or strong inclination to desire and pursue a life of quality, not merely quantity. It sets up the condition for the subsequent instruction.
* **"and see good days,"**: This phrase further defines the nature of the desired life. "Good days" (from _agathós_ and _hēméra_) implies a life characterized by well-being, prosperity (not necessarily material, but holistic), peace, and positive experiences. It speaks to a life free from unnecessary conflict and regret, a life lived in harmony with God and others.
* **"let him refrain his tongue from evil,"**: This is the first direct command, stating the primary action required. "Refrain" (from _paúō_) means to cause to cease, to stop, or to hold back deliberately. "Evil" (from _kakós_) refers to speech that is intrinsically bad, harmful, malicious, slanderous, or destructive. This command calls for an active discipline to prevent the tongue from uttering anything that is morally depraved or injurious.
* **"and his lips that they speak no guile:"**: This second command reinforces and specifies the nature of the speech to be avoided. "Lips" (from _cheîlos_) is a metonymy for speech itself. "No guile" (from _mḗ_ and _dólos_) means to speak without deceit, cunning, or trickery. This calls for absolute sincerity, honesty, and transparency in all communication, forbidding hypocrisy, manipulation, or hidden agendas in one's words.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's use of **Quotation** is prominent, as he directly cites [Psalm 34:12-13](/psalms/34-12-13 "Psalm 34:12-13 - The Path to a Good Life") to ground his New Testament exhortation in established Old Testament wisdom. This demonstrates the continuity of God's moral expectations across covenants. The verse also employs **Metonymy**, where "tongue" and "lips" stand in for the broader concept of speech or verbal communication, highlighting the physical instruments through which words are uttered. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established between the desired outcome ("love life, and see good days") and the negative actions to be avoided ("refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile"). This contrast emphasizes the direct causal link between disciplined speech and a blessed existence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully connects the internal spiritual state of a believer with their external expression, particularly through speech. It reiterates a profound biblical truth: genuine well-being and a life pleasing to God are inextricably linked to the purity and integrity of our words. The theological implication is that our speech is not merely a social tool but a spiritual barometer, reflecting the condition of our hearts. If we truly desire the abundant life God offers, we must align our communication with His character of truth and love. This command is not a legalistic burden but a pathway to freedom from the destructive consequences of uncontrolled speech, fostering peace within ourselves, our relationships, and our witness to a watching world. It underscores that God's desire for our flourishing is tied to our obedience in every area of life, including the seemingly small but profoundly impactful realm of our words.

* [James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue")
* [Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Edifying Speech")
* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Life and Death in the Power of the Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Peter 3:10 calls us to a profound self-examination regarding the power and purpose of our words. In a world saturated with casual slander, gossip, and deceit, this verse stands as a stark reminder that our speech has eternal consequences and immediate impacts on our "good days." To truly "love life" means to cultivate a life characterized by peace, integrity, and genuine connection, none of which can flourish where evil or guileful speech reigns. This requires a conscious, daily discipline: pausing before we speak, evaluating our motives, and choosing words that build up rather than tear down. It challenges us to reflect the character of Christ in our communication, transforming our interactions into opportunities for grace and truth. This isn't about mere politeness, but about spiritual maturity and a deep commitment to living out our faith authentically.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "evil" or "guile" might characterize my speech, and how can I actively work to refrain from it?**
* **How does my daily speech contribute to or detract from my desire to "love life" and "see good days"?**
* **In what ways can I use my tongue and lips to speak truth and grace, reflecting the character of Christ to those around me?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to exercise greater discipline over my words?**

### FAQ

**Why does Peter quote Psalm 34 here?**

Answer: Peter quotes [Psalm 34:12-16](/psalms/34-12-16 "Psalm 34:12-16 - The Blessings of Righteousness") to provide a strong Old Testament foundation for his New Testament instruction. By doing so, he demonstrates the continuity of God's moral expectations and promises across the covenants. The Psalm, attributed to David, speaks of the blessings that come from fearing the Lord and living righteously, specifically mentioning controlling the tongue. Peter uses this familiar and authoritative text to assure his readers that the principles for a blessed life, even in the face of suffering, remain consistent and are deeply rooted in God's eternal wisdom. It shows that the call to righteous speech is not a new, arbitrary command but an ancient, divinely established path to genuine well-being.

**What does "good days" mean in this context?**

Answer: "Good days" (Greek: _agathós hēméra_) refers to a life characterized by well-being, peace, and flourishing, not necessarily material wealth, but a holistic sense of prosperity. It implies a life free from the internal turmoil caused by unrighteousness and the external conflicts often provoked by malicious speech. For the early Christians facing persecution, "good days" would not mean an absence of external hardship, but rather an inner peace, strong community bonds, and a clear conscience that allows them to experience God's blessing and favor despite their circumstances. It signifies a life lived in harmony with God's will, leading to spiritual and relational health.

**How does refraining from evil speech contribute to "loving life"?**

Answer: Refraining from evil and guileful speech directly contributes to "loving life" by fostering peace, integrity, and healthy relationships. Malicious words, gossip, and deceit create conflict, erode trust, and damage one's own character and reputation. They lead to regret, anxiety, and isolation, hindering the very "good days" one desires. Conversely, disciplined speech, marked by truth and kindness, builds strong relationships, promotes harmony, and cultivates a clear conscience. It aligns one's actions with God's will, opening the door to His blessings and allowing one to experience genuine peace and fulfillment, even amidst life's challenges. It's about living a life that is truly good, in the fullest sense of the word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Peter 3:10 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect example in Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly "loved life" by completely fulfilling God's will, even unto death, and who truly "saw good days" in His unbroken fellowship with the Father. Crucially, Jesus's tongue and lips were utterly free from evil and guile. His words were always truth, grace, and life, even when confronting sin or facing His accusers. When reviled, [He did not revile in return](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering"); when He suffered, [He made no threats](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering"), but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. He is the embodiment of the righteous speech Peter commands, speaking only what He heard from the Father ([John 12:49](/john/12-49 "John 12:49 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Words")). For believers, our ability to refrain our tongue from evil and our lips from guile is not merely an act of human willpower, but a fruit of the Holy Spirit's work within us ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")), transforming us into the likeness of Christ, who is our perfect model of righteous living and speaking. As we fix our eyes on [Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus"), we are empowered to speak words that bring life, just as His words continue to bring life to all who believe ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Spirit Gives Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 34:12

What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?

Psalms 34:16

The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

James 1:26

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.

1 Peter 2:1

¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Revelation 14:5

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

John 1:47

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!