Meaning, commentary and cross references
1 Peter 1:16
“since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
NIV · New International Version
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
WEB · World English Bible
because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
What does 1 Peter 1:16 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 1 Peter 1:16
Because it is written,.... In Leviticus 11:44. be ye holy, for I am holy: an argument the apostle knew must have weight with these persons, who were chiefly Jews, scattered abroad among the Gentiles, and had a value for the Scriptures of truth; and therefore, as the argument for holiness of life, from the nature and perfections of God, is strong, it must receive additional strength from this being the declared will of God, even their sanctification on this account; and though holiness, equal to God, is never to be attained to by a creature, yet so far as it is capable of it, it is desirable, because agreeable both to the nature and will of God, by all such who are truly his children, who…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on 1 Peter 1:13–16
16. Propterea qu?d scriptum est, Sancti estote, quia ego sanctus sum. (Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7.) From the greatness and excellency of grace he draws an exhortation, that it surely behoved them the more readily to receive the grace of God, as the more bountifully he bestowed it upon them.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 1 Peter 1:13–19 (WEB)
13Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 14as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, 15but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior, 16because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear, 18knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things like silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ,
Cross references
- Leviticus 11:44
For I am the LORD your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth.
- Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, the LORD your God, am holy.
- Leviticus 20:7
“‘Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am the LORD your God.