1 Peter 3:11
Verse
Context
Turning from Evil
10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
In oldest manuscripts, Greek, "Moreover (besides his words, in acts), let him." eschew--"turn from." ensue--pursue as a thing hard to attain, and that flees from one in this troublesome world.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Let him eschew evil,.... Avoid all kinds of evil, hate it, abstain from the appearance of it, and have no fellowship with it; and particularly should avoid rendering evil for evil, or taking revenge on persons for doing him ill: and do good; everything that is good, all good works, according to the will of God, in the exercise of faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God; and without trusting to them, and depending upon them for life and salvation; and particularly do good for evil; do good to all men, acts of kindness and beneficence, even to enemies, and especially to them that are of the household of faith. The Jewish interpreters (w) on the psalm from whence these words are taken observe, that in the first of these clauses are contained all the negative precepts, whose number with them is three hundred, sixty, and five; and in the latter of them, all the affirmative precepts, which amount to two hundred and forty eight: let him seek peace and ensue it: "or pursue it"; let him seek after it, in the world, and with all men, as much as possible, yea, with his very enemies; and live a peaceable and quiet life, in the kingdom, city, town, and neighbourhood where he is; and particularly in the church of God, and with the saints; which he should seek with all diligence and eagerness, and pursue with all rigour to the utmost of his power; and endeavour to cultivate all he can, and follow the things which make for it. The note of one of the Jewish commentators (x) on this passage is, "seek peace", in thine own place; "and pursue it", in another place, (w) Aben Ezra & Kimchi in Psal. xxxiv. 14. (x) Jarchi.
1 Peter 3:11
Turning from Evil
10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Collection of a.w. Tozer's Prayers - Volume 1
By A.W. Tozer2.1K04:51PrayerPSA 34:14PSA 97:10PRO 8:13ROM 12:91TI 6:111PE 3:111JN 3:4The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of hating sin and loving righteousness. It encourages listeners to flee from iniquity and pursue godliness. The speaker also highlights the concept of mercy, stating that it surrounds us like the air and is a characteristic of God. The sermon concludes with a prayer for repentance and a plea for God's mercy and guidance. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the need to focus on spiritual matters and to live according to God's will.
We Have Been Called to Peace
By Alan Martin1.2K00:00PeacePSA 34:14MAT 5:9MRK 9:50ROM 12:17HEB 12:12JAS 3:181PE 3:11In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of allowing the peace of God to rule and govern our hearts. He compares it to a governor in an older vehicle that limits its speed to prevent potential crashes. The peace of God is what keeps us from reaching full throttle and prevents conflicts and divisions among believers. The speaker also highlights that Jesus intended for His disciples to have peace and encourages us to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Let the Peace of Christ Be Your Referee
By Zac Poonen0Peace of ChristConscience and ObediencePRO 16:7ISA 26:3MAT 5:23JHN 14:27ROM 14:17EPH 4:3PHP 4:7COL 3:15JAS 3:181PE 3:11Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of allowing the peace of Christ to act as a referee in our hearts, guiding us when we stray from God's will. He illustrates this with a football analogy, explaining that just as a referee signals fouls, our conscience alerts us when we have done wrong, requiring us to make amends before moving forward. Poonen stresses that if we ignore this inner referee, our actions, no matter how good, will not be counted until we set things right. He encourages believers to recognize agitation as a sign that the peace of Christ has been disrupted and to take immediate steps to restore that peace. Ultimately, he calls for obedience to this inner peace to ensure we remain aligned with God's will.
Make Peace
By John Wesley0Response to ViolencePeacemakingPSA 34:14PRO 15:1ISA 9:6MAT 5:9MAT 26:52ROM 12:18EPH 4:3COL 3:15JAS 3:181PE 3:11John Wesley emphasizes the call to make peace in a world rife with violence, referencing Jesus' command to put away the sword. He highlights the prevalence of violence in contemporary society, from wars to local acts of aggression, and stresses that Christians must not resort to violence in any form. Instead, they are called to be peacemakers, a role that requires courage and commitment to God's principles. Wesley challenges listeners to reflect on their own responses to conflict and to actively pursue peace in their communities. He concludes with a prayer for guidance in choosing the path of peace.
Holy Covetousness
By Samuel Logan Brengle0Spiritual GiftsPursuit of GodJDG 5:31MAT 5:16ACT 20:24ROM 10:171CO 12:311CO 14:1EPH 2:4JAS 1:5JAS 3:171PE 3:11Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the importance of coveting the best gifts from God rather than seeking worldly positions or promotions. He illustrates this by contrasting the legacy of powerful figures like Nero with that of humble servants like Paul and John Bunyan, who possessed spiritual gifts that have lasting impact. Brengle encourages his audience to earnestly seek gifts such as the Holy Spirit, wisdom, faith, the spirit of prayer, and love, which empower believers to bless the world and fulfill God's purpose. He stresses that true wisdom is marked by purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy, and that cultivating these gifts leads to a fruitful Christian life. Ultimately, Brengle calls for a passionate pursuit of these divine gifts to transform lives and communities.
The Fighting Sailor Turn'd Peaceable Christian
By Thomas Lurting0PeaceTransformationDivine GuidanceISA 2:4MAT 5:9JHN 14:27ROM 12:182CO 5:17EPH 4:3PHP 4:7COL 3:15JAS 3:181PE 3:11Thomas Lurting shares his transformative journey from a fighting sailor to a peaceable Christian, recounting his numerous deliverances during perilous naval battles and the profound impact of his conversion. He reflects on the internal struggles he faced, particularly in relation to the Quakers, whom he initially persecuted but eventually came to respect and join. Lurting emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's will and the power of divine guidance in overcoming fear and violence. His experiences serve as a testament to God's mercy and the possibility of redemption, encouraging others to seek peace and spiritual truth.
From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776
By Nathan Bangs0EZK 37:7MAT 5:9ACT 2:4ROM 12:181CO 1:10PHP 2:2COL 3:141TI 2:1JAS 3:181PE 3:11Nathan Bangs preaches about the remarkable revival of religion in America from 1773 to 1776, highlighting the powerful work of God in transforming sinners into pious believers. The work spread through various counties, leading to the conversion of many souls and the establishment of new societies. Despite suspicions and opposition, the preachers remained focused on the work of God, emphasizing the importance of unity, peace-making, and purity in the midst of political tensions and hostilities.
Unity and Peace
By H.J. Vine0ROM 14:191CO 1:10EPH 4:4EPH 6:121PE 3:11JUD 1:3H.J. Vine preaches on the unalterable truth of God, emphasizing the unity of the Spirit that believers are called to maintain in peace and holiness. He highlights the importance of diligently pursuing peace with all to manifest the unity of the Spirit as truth, while also contending earnestly for the faith without causing division among fellow believers. Vine stresses the need for believers to stand united against the attacks of the enemy, finding common ground in their shared faith and common foe.
Adding to the Stock
By Mary Wilder Tileston0PSA 97:10PRO 8:13ROM 12:9EPH 5:111TH 5:221PE 3:11Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of hating evil for those who love the Lord, highlighting how each individual contributes to the general stock of evil in the world through their actions, words, and attitudes. She warns against defending or making light of wrongdoing, as it actively augments the common fund of wickedness that can lead to more serious crimes. Tileston urges believers to be conscious of their contributions to this evil and to strive to diminish it through righteous living and upholding God's standards.
For Plymouth, Keep Your Meetings
By George Fox0PSA 119:105JHN 8:12EPH 4:31PE 3:111JN 1:5George Fox delivers a warning to Friends, urging them to gather in the presence of the Lord God and be guided by the measure of life towards unity with the Father of light and life. He calls for the dread and terror of the Lord to be present, confounding deceit, and guiding all minds towards God for peace and love. This message is to be shared among Friends to be read in all their meetings.
All Friends Everywhere, Who Are Dead to Carnal Weapons
By George Fox0PSA 34:14MAT 5:9ROM 12:18HEB 12:141PE 3:11George Fox preaches to all Friends who have renounced carnal weapons, urging them to stand in the power that eliminates the need for wars and violence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace for the sake of truth. He advises believers to pay tribute to rulers for the sake of peace but highlights the inability of those living in peace to engage in warfare. Fox encourages Friends to continue paying tribute for the sake of peace and to claim their liberty through peaceful means.
On War - Effects of War.
By Jonathan Dymond0PRO 3:30ISA 2:4MAT 5:9MAT 26:52ACT 5:29ROM 12:18ROM 14:191TH 5:15JAS 3:181PE 3:11Jonathan Dymond preaches about the devastating effects of war, highlighting the intense sufferings, irreparable deprivations, and moral consequences it brings upon society. He emphasizes the immense loss of human life, the financial distress, and the moral degradation that war inflicts on individuals, particularly soldiers. Dymond condemns the immorality, servility, and slavery inherent in military obedience, urging Christians to refuse to participate in war as it goes against the principles of Christianity. He calls for passive resistance and non-compliance with unjust orders, emphasizing the importance of upholding moral agency and rejecting the iniquity of war.
1 Peter 3:11
By John Gill0Pursuing PeaceAvoiding EvilROM 12:171PE 3:11John Gill emphasizes the importance of avoiding evil and actively doing good as outlined in 1 Peter 3:11. He encourages believers to abstain from all forms of evil, including revenge, and to engage in good works motivated by love and faith for the glory of God. Gill highlights the necessity of seeking and pursuing peace with everyone, including enemies, and fostering a peaceful community, particularly within the church. He notes the significance of adhering to both negative and affirmative precepts in living a righteous life. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a commitment to goodness and peace as central tenets of the Christian faith.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
In oldest manuscripts, Greek, "Moreover (besides his words, in acts), let him." eschew--"turn from." ensue--pursue as a thing hard to attain, and that flees from one in this troublesome world.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Let him eschew evil,.... Avoid all kinds of evil, hate it, abstain from the appearance of it, and have no fellowship with it; and particularly should avoid rendering evil for evil, or taking revenge on persons for doing him ill: and do good; everything that is good, all good works, according to the will of God, in the exercise of faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God; and without trusting to them, and depending upon them for life and salvation; and particularly do good for evil; do good to all men, acts of kindness and beneficence, even to enemies, and especially to them that are of the household of faith. The Jewish interpreters (w) on the psalm from whence these words are taken observe, that in the first of these clauses are contained all the negative precepts, whose number with them is three hundred, sixty, and five; and in the latter of them, all the affirmative precepts, which amount to two hundred and forty eight: let him seek peace and ensue it: "or pursue it"; let him seek after it, in the world, and with all men, as much as possible, yea, with his very enemies; and live a peaceable and quiet life, in the kingdom, city, town, and neighbourhood where he is; and particularly in the church of God, and with the saints; which he should seek with all diligence and eagerness, and pursue with all rigour to the utmost of his power; and endeavour to cultivate all he can, and follow the things which make for it. The note of one of the Jewish commentators (x) on this passage is, "seek peace", in thine own place; "and pursue it", in another place, (w) Aben Ezra & Kimchi in Psal. xxxiv. 14. (x) Jarchi.