1 Peter 1:15 kjv

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1 Peter 1:15 nkjv

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

1 Peter 1:15 niv

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

1 Peter 1:15 esv

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

1 Peter 1:15 nlt

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.

1 Peter 1 verses

1 Peter 1 15 Meaning

This verse presents a profound command for believers: to live a life of comprehensive holiness, mirroring the character of God who has called them. It emphasizes that since God, their caller, is absolutely pure and set apart, so too must their entire manner of living demonstrate a moral distinctiveness from the world and a consecration to Him. This is not a partial or occasional requirement but an all-encompassing commitment affecting every aspect of their conduct.

1 Peter 1 15 Context

First Peter begins by addressing "exiles of the Dispersion," scattered believers across Asia Minor facing various trials and persecutions. The letter continually points to the "living hope" believers have through Christ's resurrection (1 Pet 1:3-9), even amidst suffering. Verses 13-16 form a pivotal call to ethical transformation following a theological explanation of their salvation. Verse 13 exhorts them to be spiritually alert and to fully anticipate Christ's grace. Verse 14 provides a negative injunction, urging believers, as "obedient children," to abandon the sinful "passions of your former ignorance" that characterized their unregenerate lives. Verse 15 then presents the positive command to holiness, rooting it in the very nature of God who called them. This directly counters the prevailing pagan cultures, where moral relativism and depraved practices were common. Unlike pagan deities, the God of Christians is holy, and therefore His followers are expected to be fundamentally distinct in their behavior, not just in ritual but in their entire way of life.

1 Peter 1 15 Word analysis

• but (ἀλλὰ, alla)
  • This is a strong adversative conjunction, signifying a direct contrast.
  • It indicates a shift from the negative injunction (what not to do – not conforming to former passions in v.14) to a positive command (what to do – be holy). It suggests that refraining from sin is only part of the spiritual life; active emulation of God's character is required.
• as (ὡς, hōs)
  • A comparative particle meaning "just as," or "in the same manner that."
  • It establishes a clear pattern and standard: God's holiness is the perfect model for the believer's holiness. This isn't an invitation to deification, but to conformity in moral character.
• he who called you (ὁ καλέσας ὑμᾶς, ho kalesas hymas)
  • Refers unequivocally to God, the divine initiator of salvation. The aorist participle emphasizes a decisive, completed action in the past: their calling into new life.
  • This "calling" (κλῆσις, klēsis) signifies God's sovereign initiative and purpose for their lives, laying the foundation for their identity and consequent moral obligations. It underscores that holiness is a response to divine grace.
• is holy (ἅγιος ἐστίν, hagios estin)
  • Hagios describes God's inherent nature—His absolute moral purity, transcendence, and separation from all that is common, defiled, or evil.
  • This serves as the foundational attribute for the command. Believers are to imitate God's ethical perfection, not merely ceremonial cleanness, but comprehensive moral uprightness.
• you also be holy (καὶ αὐτοὶ ἅγιοι γενήθητε, kai autoi hagioi genēthēte)
  • "You also" stresses personal responsibility and the direct application to believers, mirroring God's pattern.
  • Genēthēte is an aorist imperative, functioning as a strong command "become" or "demonstrate yourselves to be" holy. It emphasizes that this is an active, ongoing process of moral transformation, aligning one's character with God's.
• in all (ἐν πάσῃ, en pasē)
  • Emphasizes the absolute comprehensiveness and totality of the command.
  • Holiness is not compartmentalized; it extends to every part of life, beyond religious rituals to daily interactions and attitudes.
• your conduct (ἀναστροφῇ, anastrophē)
  • Refers to one's entire manner of life, behavior, or moral way of living. It encompasses actions, words, attitudes, and relationships.
  • This word highlights that holiness is a practical, observable manifestation in daily life, transforming the sum total of one's character outward expression.

Words-group analysis:

• "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy": This phrase establishes a divinely-grounded ethical imperative. God's inherent holiness, revealed in His calling, becomes the unchanging standard and driving force for the believer's sanctification. It connects Christian ethics directly to divine character and salvation.
• "in all your conduct": This expansive phrase prevents any selective or superficial understanding of holiness. It demands that distinct Christian character pervade every area of life—public or private, significant or mundane—affirming that all aspects of a believer's existence are to reflect God's holy nature. It's a call for holistic spiritual integrity.

1 Peter 1 15 Bonus section

The command to be holy echoes throughout the Bible, initially given to Israel (Leviticus references), but here applied to the New Covenant church. This demonstrates that holiness is a core expectation across all dispensations of God's relationship with humanity. It underscores that God's redemptive work is not only for salvation from sin but also for sanctification to holiness. The motivation is deeply relational: "as He who called you is holy." This positions holiness not as a burdensome requirement to earn favor, but as a loving response and natural outcome of being made children of a holy God. This holistic holiness stands in polemical contrast to the ethical laxity prevalent in the Roman world where Peter’s original audience resided, implicitly calling them to shine as moral lights in their dark surroundings.

1 Peter 1 15 Commentary

First Peter 1:15 is a foundational command in Christian living, directly stemming from the very nature of God. Having called believers out of darkness into His marvelous light, God's expectation is not just cessation of former sins but a proactive pursuit of ethical distinction. The holiness enjoined here is not an abstract concept or mere ceremonial purity but a tangible, moral integrity that sets believers apart from the ungodly practices of the surrounding world. It encompasses the entirety of a person's life – thoughts, speech, actions, and character. This transformation is made possible by God's initial call and the indwelling Spirit, empowering believers to reflect their Creator. To "be holy" means to be consecrated to God and morally distinct in the world, embodying righteousness and purity.