1 Peter 1:16

16 for it is written, "You will be holy, because I [am]^[a] holy."^[b][c]

1 Peter 1:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written
In ( Leviticus 11:44 ) ( 19:2 ) ( 20:7 )

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 love his name, adore his perfections, give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness, fear his goodness, and obey his will.

1 Peter 1:16 In-Context

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former desires [you used to conform to] in your ignorance,

15 but as the one who called you [is] holy, [you] yourselves be holy in all [your] conduct,

16 for it is written, "You will be holy, because I [am] holy."

17 And if you call on [him] [as] Father who judges impartially according to each one's work, conduct yourselves with fear during the time of your temporary residence,

18 [because you] know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold,

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here the verb is understood in Greek and is supplied in the translation
• [b]. A quotation from Lev 19:2
• [c]. Some manuscripts explicitly state "I am holy"