1 Peter 3:11
What does 1 Peter 3:11 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 3:11 means
God’s way is active, not passive: turn decisively from evil and practice good. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it must be sought and pursued. This requires effort, initiative, and persistence. In a hostile environment, believers resist the instinct to retaliate by choosing concrete good works and by chasing reconciliation where possible. Such pursuit reflects trust that God blesses peacemakers and that the path of obedience, though costly, leads to the “good days” of fellowship with Him. The verse calls for a whole-life reorientation—renouncing wrong, embracing right, and making peace a goal worth chasing, not a convenience to enjoy only when it falls in our lap.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And let him be turned from evil and do good; searching for peace and going after it with all his heart.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862let him turn aside from evil, and do good, let him seek peace and pursue it;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let him decline from evil and do good: Let him seek after peace and pursue it:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And let him avoid evil, and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it;
Context
Continuing the Scripture citation that began in verse 10, Peter widens the scope from speech to deed. The call to seek and pursue peace fits the letter’s broader theme: living distinctively in a world that may oppose the faith. Verse 12 will give the theological reason to commit to this path—God’s eyes and ears attend to the righteous, while His face is against those who do evil. With this foundation, Peter will transition in verses 13–17 to the theme of suffering for doing good and the mindset required to endure it without fear, while bearing witness to Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.
- Romans 14:19
So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.
- Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
- 1 Timothy 6:18
that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
- Isaiah 1:16
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
- James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
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