1 Peter 3:11

1 Peter 3:11 calls believers to a proactive and intentional life of moral purity and peacemaking. This verse encapsulates core principles of Christian conduct, urging a decisive turning away from wrongdoing and an active pursuit of righteousness and harmony.

Context

This verse is part of Peter’s broader exhortation to believers on how to live godly lives, especially in the face of suffering or opposition. In 1 Peter 3:9, he advises against returning evil for evil or railing for railing, instead advocating blessing. The immediate context from 1 Peter 3:10-12 is a direct quotation from Psalm 34:12-16, where David speaks of the path to a good life and seeing good days. Peter applies this Old Testament wisdom directly to New Testament believers, emphasizing that righteous living is essential for those who desire to inherit a blessing and escape God's judgment against evildoers.

Key Themes

• Active Moral Purity: The phrase "Let him eschew evil, and do good" emphasizes a dual command: a conscious and deliberate turning away from sin and harmful actions, coupled with an intentional engagement in positive, righteous deeds. It's not enough to merely abstain from wrong; believers are called to actively pursue what is right and beneficial.
• Diligent Peacemaking: "Let him seek peace, and ensue it" highlights the active nature of pursuing harmony. Peace is not something passively waited for; it must be diligently sought out and pursued with effort. This includes seeking reconciliation in relationships, fostering unity, and promoting tranquility within communities, aligning with the call to be blessed peacemakers.
• Proactive Obedience: All four verbs—eschew, do, seek, ensue—underscore the idea of active, volitional participation in living a godly life. Christian conduct is portrayed as a deliberate choice and a continuous effort, not a passive state.

Linguistic Insights

• The word "eschew" (Greek: ekklino) means to "turn away from," "deviate from," or "avoid." It implies a decisive movement away from evil, much like shunning or abstaining.
• "Do good" (Greek: agathopoieo) means "to do what is good" or "to perform good deeds." It's the positive counterpart to eschewing evil, calling for tangible acts of righteousness.
• "Seek peace" (Greek: zeteo eirenen) means "to search for," "investigate," or "strive after peace." It implies an earnest effort to find and establish peace.
• "Ensue it" (Greek: dioko auten) means "to pursue," "chase," or "follow after it diligently." This strengthens "seek peace," indicating that peace is not just to be desired but actively pursued with tenacity, even when difficult. This combination emphasizes the relentless pursuit of harmony, as also encouraged in Romans 14:19.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Peter 3:11 serves as a timeless call to ethical living and relational harmony. It challenges us to:

• Consciously Avoid Sin: Reflect on areas where evil may be present in thoughts, words, or actions, and actively choose to turn away from them. This involves vigilance and a commitment to holiness.
• Actively Engage in Goodness: Look for opportunities to show kindness, compassion, justice, and generosity. Being a doer of good means positively impacting the world around us.
• Be a Peacemaker: Seek out and initiate reconciliation in broken relationships. Be willing to compromise, forgive, and build bridges rather than walls. This includes fostering peace in our homes, workplaces, and communities, embodying the fruit of the Spirit.
• Live with Purpose: Understand that Christian life is not passive. It requires intentional choices and continuous effort to live in a way that honors God and blesses others, reflecting the character of Christ in all interactions.