1 Peter 1:16
in 1 Peter 1for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
KJV
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
⋯
This verse in 1 Peter 1
Commentary
9 notes on this verseThe will of God is our sanctification, for He wishes His "image "-us-to become likewise His "likeness; " that we may be "holy" just as Himself is "holy." That good-sanctification, I mean-I distribute into several species, that in some one of those species we may be found.
This site's exposition
As obedient children, do not conform
on 1 Peter 1:14-16
Obedient children no longer shape life by the passions of your former ignorance. Holiness reaches everything, so be holy in all you do, because God is holy, and verse 16 quotes Leviticus 11:44 to ground the command.
This site's exposition
Be holy, because I am holy
Peter quotes the law given to Israel in Leviticus 11:44. Albert Barnes notes that the command to be holy, first written for Israel, fits all who call God their Father. Holy people take after their holy God.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, in your ignorance: but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written: "Be holy, for I am holy." [Lev. 19:2] Conforming [Συσχηματιζειν], however, means …
The Medieval Church1 voice
God insists that we become like him. In God's holiness lies our salvation. Therefore those who are truly holy now in Christ are prepared for true life in him.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
And yet it is required in strong terms, and enforced by three reasons, taken from the grace of God in calling us,--from his command, it is written, --and from his example. Be you holy, for I am holy. Learn, (1.) The grace of God in calling a sinner is a powerful engagement to holiness.
Because it is written,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy - Lev 11:44. This command was addressed at first to the Israelites, but it is with equal propriety addressed to Christians, as the professed people of God. The foundation of the command is, that they professed to be his people, and that as his people they ought to be like their God. Compare Mic 4:5. It is a great truth, that people everywhere will imitate the God whom they worship. They will form their character in accordance with his. They will regard what he does as right.
1 more voice on this verse
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [DIDYMUS]. God is essentially holy: the creature is holy in so far as it is sanctified by God. God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey it, namely, through the sanctifying of the Spirit (1Pe 1:2).
The words behind it
9 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| διότι | dioti | because | G1360 → | 23 times |
| γέγραπται· | gegraptai | it has been written: | G1125 → | |
| ὅτι | hoti | that | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ἅγιοι | hagioi | Holy | G40 → | 220 times |
| ἔσεσθε, | esesthe | you will be, | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | because | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ἐγὼ | ego | I myself | G1473 → | |
| ἅγιος | hagios | holy | G40 → | 220 times |
| εἰμι. | eimi | am. | G1510 → | 2333 times |
διότιbecause
diotiG1360 →23 times
γέγραπται·it has been written:
gegraptaiG1125 →
ὅτιthat
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ἅγιοιHoly
hagioiG40 →220 times
ἔσεσθε,you will be,
esestheG1510 →2333 times
ὅτιbecause
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ἐγὼI myself
egoG1473 →
ἅγιοςholy
hagiosG40 →220 times
εἰμι.am.
eimiG1510 →2333 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Amos 3:3Can two walk together without agreeing where to go?
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 6:14–16
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14–16
Through
Leviticus 19:2“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 1:15–16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Leviticus 20:7
Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Leviticus 11:44–45
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground.
- 1 Peter 1:15–16
Through
Leviticus 20:7Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.
it leads to
- Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Leviticus 11:44
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground.
- Leviticus 19:2
Through
Leviticus 11:44For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground.
it leads to
- Exodus 20:2
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
- Exodus 20:2
Where this verse is studied
By subject
Holiness35 verses
On this page
Studies31
On this verse
On this chapter
About 1 Peter
This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Andreas of Caesarea, CATENA; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on 1 Peter and Tertullian, On Exhortation to Chastity.