1 Peter 2:12
What does 1 Peter 2:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 2:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 2:12 means
Believers are to keep their behavior honorable among the Gentiles, so that even when slandered as evildoers, their observable good works lead accusers to glorify God “in the day of visitation.” Integrity over time disarms prejudice. The “day of visitation” points to God’s special intervention—whether in saving mercy or final judgment—when the evidence of transformed lives will redound to His praise. Christians cannot control public opinion, but they can live in such a way that lies ring hollow and genuine goodness points beyond themselves to God, who is the author of every good work seen in His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Being of good behaviour among the Gentiles; so that though they say now that you are evil-doers, they may see your good works and give glory to God when he comes to be their judge.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having your behaviour among the nations right, that in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, of the good works having beheld, they may glorify God in a day of inspection.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that [as to that] in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may through [your] good works, [themselves] witnessing [them], glorifyGod in [the] day of visitation.
Context
Verse 12 complements verse 11 by turning from inner restraint to outward reputation. The goal is evangelistic and doxological: that God would be honored through visible goodness. This sets the stage for a focused application in the realm of civil authority (vv. 13–17). Peter will show that submission for the Lord’s sake, coupled with freedom rightly used, is a powerful witness that silences ignorant accusations and directs attention to God’s order and grace.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 14:25
the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
- Ephesians 2:3
among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:—
- Acts 24:13
Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
- 1 Timothy 2:2
for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity.
- Luke 19:44
and shall dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
- Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
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