1 Peter 1:22
What does 1 Peter 1:22 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 1:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 1:22 means
Having obeyed the truth, believers have “purified” their souls, not by self-cleansing but by responding to the gospel that sanctifies. The immediate goal is “unfeigned love of the brethren”—a sincere, unhypocritical affection among Christians. Therefore, they are to “love one another from the heart fervently.” New life issues in new relationships marked by earnest, genuine care. This love is not mere sentiment; it is energetic and deep, flowing from hearts made clean. Peter ties doctrine to practice: the gospel that saves also reshapes community, calling believers to reflect God’s love in committed, heartfelt service to one another.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And as you have made your souls clean, being ruled by what is true, and loving one another without deceit, see that your love is warm and from the heart:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Your souls having purified in the obedience of the truth through the Spirit to brotherly love unfeigned, out of a pure heart one another love ye earnestly,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Purifying your souls in the obedience of charity, with a brotherly love, from a sincere heart love one another earnestly:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth to unfeigned brotherly love, love one another out of a pure heart fervently;
Context
With redemption and hope established (vv. 18–21), Peter now applies salvation to communal life. Verse 22 links obedience to the truth with sincere brotherly love and commands fervent love. Verses 23–25 will ground this call in the new birth through the enduring word of God, contrasting human frailty with the permanence of God’s message. Love grows from imperishable life.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 1:9
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
- 1 Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:
- 1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.
- 1 Timothy 1:5
But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:
- 1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;
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