1 Peter 3:16
What does 1 Peter 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 3:16 means
A good conscience—kept by consistent obedience—fortifies witness. When opponents slander your conduct “in Christ,” your blameless behavior will expose their accusations as false and put them to shame. Peter does not promise the end of hostility, but he insists that integrity robs slander of credibility. The Christian’s life should match his confession: clean hands strengthen clear words. Maintaining a good conscience requires ongoing repentance and diligence; it is not sinlessness but sincerity under grace. Such integrity displays the reality of the gospel—Christ changes people—and it honors Him in the eyes of watching neighbors. Even if insults persist, the believer’s quiet faithfulness becomes a living argument for the truth he professes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Being conscious that you have done no wrong; so that those who say evil things about your good way of life as Christians may be put to shame.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having a good conscience, that in that in which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who are traducing your good behaviour in Christ;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890having a good conscience, that [as to that] in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may be ashamed who calumniate your good conversation in Christ.
Context
This verse completes the instructions on fearless, gentle witness (verses 14–16). With Christ sanctified as Lord (verse 15), and readiness to explain hope, believers must also guard their conscience through holy living. Then, if reviled, the mismatch between charges and conduct becomes evident. Verse 17 will draw the practical conclusion about the comparative goodness of suffering for righteousness, if God wills, rather than for sin. Immediately after, verses 18–22 will present Christ’s once-for-all suffering and triumphant resurrection as the ultimate pattern and assurance for beleaguered Christians.
v.15but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
v.16This passage
v.17For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 9:14
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
- 1 Peter 3:1
In like manner, ye wives, bein subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives;
- Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit,
- 2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day
- 1 Peter 2:19
For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.
- 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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