1 Peter 1:14
What does 1 Peter 1:14 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 1:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 1:14 means
As “children of obedience,” believers are defined by responsiveness to God. They must refuse to be shaped by former desires that marked the “time of your ignorance.” Before knowing Christ, passions ruled; now, a new family likeness governs. Peter does not merely forbid certain behaviors; he addresses the inner patterning of life—what molds us. The gospel brings a new identity and therefore a new conformity, not to lusts but to the Lord. This verse invites believers to remember their past in order to reject its controlling power, walking instead in the intelligent obedience that flows from truth known and loved.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance:
KJV
King James Version · 1611As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Like children ruled by God, do not go back to the old desires of the time when you were without knowledge:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves to the former desires in your ignorance,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As children of obedience, not fashioned according to the former desires of your ignorance,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890as children of obedience, not conformed to [your] former lusts in your ignorance;
Context
Following the call to set hope fully on future grace (v. 13), verse 14 begins the practical outworking: no longer conforming to old desires. Verses 15–16 will then provide the positive standard—God’s holiness—rooted in Scripture. The contrast between former ignorance and present obedience frames holiness as the fruit of renewed understanding.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 4:18
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart;
- Romans 12:2
And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Titus 3:3
For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
- Ephesians 2:2
wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;
- Romans 6:4
We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
- Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
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