1 Peter 1:16 kjv

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 1:16 nkjv

because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

1 Peter 1:16 niv

for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

1 Peter 1:16 esv

since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

1 Peter 1:16 nlt

For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."

1 Peter 1 verses

1 Peter 1 16 Meaning

This verse states the foundational reason and divine imperative for believers to live a holy life: God Himself is holy. It re-affirms a command originally given to Israel in the Old Testament, making it applicable and binding for New Testament believers. It calls for an ethical transformation and conduct that mirrors the sacred and distinct nature of God who has called them.

1 Peter 1 16 Context

This verse follows Peter's exhortation to his readers—who are described as "exiles of the Dispersion" (1 Pet 1:1)—to live out their new birth (1 Pet 1:3-4) and call (1 Pet 1:15) with genuine faith, hope, and obedient living. Chapter 1 primarily addresses their spiritual identity in Christ, the glory of their salvation, and the implications of this salvation for their daily conduct in a world often hostile to their faith. Verse 16 serves as the divine authority for the command in verse 15 ("as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct"), explicitly referencing the Old Testament foundation for this ethical imperative. Historically, these scattered believers, likely facing social pressure and potential persecution, needed a strong grounding in their distinct identity and calling, distinguishing them from the surrounding pagan cultures characterized by idolatry and moral depravity. The command to be holy, rooted in God's character, provided both a clear standard and a powerful motivation.

1 Peter 1 16 Word Analysis

• because (διότι - dioti): This conjunction introduces the reason or basis for the preceding command in verse 15. It grounds the call to holiness not in human capability, but in divine decree and character.
• it is written (γέγραπται - gegraptai): A perfect passive indicative verb from graphō (to write). The perfect tense indicates an action completed in the past with continuing results and abiding authority. It means "it stands written," highlighting the enduring, unchangeable, and authoritative nature of Scripture as the Word of God. This phrase signals an authoritative quotation from the Old Testament.
• Be holy (Ἅγιοι γίνεσθε - Hagioi ginesthe):
  • Ἅγιοι (Hagioi): The nominative plural of hagios, meaning "holy" or "sacred." Here, it functions as a predicate adjective and refers to individuals consecrated to God and characterized by moral purity and devotion.
  • γίνεσθε (ginesthe): This is a present imperative verb, meaning "become" or "be." The present tense implies continuous, ongoing action – a process of striving for holiness, not a single event. It's a command requiring active effort and transformation.
• for (ὅτι - hoti): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation, directly linking the command for human holiness to God's own nature.
• I am holy (ἐγὼ γὰρ ἅγιός εἰμι - ego gar hagios eimi):
  • ἐγὼ (egō): The emphatic pronoun "I," placing emphasis on God Himself as the ultimate standard and source.
  • γὰρ (gar): A particle denoting explanation or cause, "for indeed," "because."
  • ἅγιός (hagios): The nominative singular of hagios, again "holy," describing God's inherent nature—separate from all impurity, transcendent, and perfectly righteous.
  • εἰμι (eimi): The present indicative verb "I am," affirming God's immutable being and eternal nature.
• "it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'": This entire phrase encapsulates the enduring divine standard for His people. It's a foundational theological truth: humanity's call to holiness is not an arbitrary rule but a direct reflection of the character of the God they worship and who has called them. The command ("Be holy") is derived from God's identity ("I am holy"), implying that ethical conformity is expected from those in covenant with Him. This quotation is drawn directly from the Mosaic Law, emphasizing its continuity for New Testament believers.

1 Peter 1 16 Bonus Section

The theological concept of imitatio Dei (imitation of God) is profoundly present in this verse. It is not just about obeying a command but actively striving to embody God's character. For Peter's audience, this call to holiness was counter-cultural, demanding distinctiveness in a morally ambiguous pagan world. The holiness spoken of is not merely ceremonial purity but a comprehensive moral and spiritual integrity, an internal disposition that manifests in outward conduct. Furthermore, the use of "it is written" (γέγραπται) demonstrates Peter's deep reliance on the authoritative testimony of the Old Testament Scriptures for establishing New Testament ethical norms and foundations of Christian life, reinforcing the unity and coherence of God's redemptive plan through history.

1 Peter 1 16 Commentary

1 Peter 1:16 powerfully grounds the call for Christian ethical living in the unchanging character of God Himself. The directive "Be holy" is not an arbitrary expectation but a divine imperative derived directly from who God is: "I am holy." This re-assertion of an Old Testament command (primarily from Leviticus) emphasizes that the core ethical demands of the covenant remain valid and central for New Testament believers, now empowered and transformed by Christ. Holiness, therefore, is both a relational state of being set apart for God and a practical standard for daily conduct, permeating "all your conduct" as stated in the preceding verse. It implies separation from the world's impurities and devotion to God's ways, serving as a distinguishing mark of His people. This command highlights that a holy God expects holiness from His children, reflecting His nature in their lives as a response to His redeeming grace.