1 Peter 3:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

NIV: For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

NASB: For, 'THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.

CSB: For the one who wants to love life and to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,

NLT: For the Scriptures say, 'If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

KJV: For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

NKJV: For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

In the previous two verses, Peter has called on Christians both to live in harmony together and to refuse to seek revenge. Even when insulted or treated with evilness, this is simply not an acceptable option for the believer. In fact, God commands Christians to give a blessing in exchange for evil treatment.

In verses 10 through 12, Peter furthers his case by referencing Psalm 34:12–16. David's words from the Old Testament still hold true. Those who want to love life and see good days should make some very specific choices about how they live today. Is Peter saying that if we live as he is about to describe, we will love our lives and see good days on this side of heaven? Or is he referring only to the promise of "good days" in the life to come? Probably both are true to a point.

Writing in Psalms, David was making a wisdom statement: a general principle. His claim was that making these particular choices tends to lead to more and better days in this life. Peter affirms David's statement, in the context of his own train of thought. Christians who live this way will make the most of this life and receive rewards in the life to come.

So, what choices can we make, which will lead to such life-loving good days? It's all about what we as Christians refuse to do and what we insist on doing. First, we refuse to allow ourselves to speak evil or to be deceitful with our words. Peter probably means this in the context of getting even with those who speak evil and lie against us. God calls Christians to take those options off the table. We must refuse to use our words to harm, no matter how great the temptation.

Peter continues this thought, and his reference to the Psalms, in the next two verses.

1 Peter 3:8–22 addresses all believers, commanding Christians to be unified and to refuse to seek revenge when wronged. Peter quotes from both David and Isaiah to show that God’s people have always been called to reject evil and to do good. This is true even when we are suffering. In fact, it may be God’s will for His people to suffer, in part, to demonstrate His power. Our good example can convict others into repentance. Christ, too, suffered, died, was resurrected, and ascended to power and authority in heaven.

Peter continues teaching about Christian submission to human authorities, now addressing Christian wives. Believing wives must be subject to their own husbands, even if the husband is not a follower of Christ. By doing so, they might win them to Christ through the example of their own changed lives and hearts. Christian husbands must honor their wives. All believers must live in unity together and refuse to seek revenge. In part, God means to use our hopeful response to suffering to provoke the world to see His power in us. Christ, too, suffered and then died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven.

Peter’s letter to persecuted Christians is about how to endure suffering for faith in Christ. Thus far, he has assured Christians that their future is secure in eternity with God. We are His holy people, set apart for His specific purposes. Because of this, it matters that we live out that truth, even when we suffer. Christians are called to live in submission to every human authority, including kings, governors, and slave masters.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.