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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

1 Peter 3:15–17

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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3 selected · 7 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 15

  1. Colossians 4:6Rank 1 from verse 15
    Open

    6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

  2. 2 Timothy 2:25–26Rank 2 from verse 15
    Open

    25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

    26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

  3. Luke 21:14–15Rank 3 from verse 15
    Open

    14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

    15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

  4. 1 Peter 3:2Rank 4 from verse 15
    Open

    2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

  5. Matthew 10:18–20Rank 5 from verse 15
    Open

    18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

    19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

    20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

From verse 16

  1. 1 Peter 2:12Rank 1 from verse 16
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    12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

  2. 1 Peter 2:15Rank 2 from verse 16
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    15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

  3. Hebrews 13:18Rank 3 from verse 16
    Open

    18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

  4. Titus 2:8Rank 4 from verse 16
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    8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

  5. Matthew 5:11Rank 5 from verse 16
    Open

    11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

From verse 17

  1. 1 Peter 3:14Rank 1 from verse 17
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    14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

  2. 1 Peter 4:19Rank 2 from verse 17
    Open

    19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

  3. Matthew 26:39Rank 3 from verse 17
    Open

    39And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

  4. 1 Peter 2:15Rank 4 from verse 17
    Open

    15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

  5. 1 Peter 2:20Rank 5 from verse 17
    Open

    20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

1 Peter 3:15

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

sanctify

↗

To set apart as holy, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, cleanse, purify, or treat as holy.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

Lord

↗

1. A title of God or Jesus Christ acknowledging authority and rule. 2. A respectful title or address for one in authority.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hearts

↗

The inward lives of persons: their thoughts, understanding, conscience, affections, desires, purposes, will, courage, or disposition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ready

↗

Prepared; in a state requiring no delay; willing or prompt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

answer

↗

Sense 1: A reply or response. Sense 2: As a verb, to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

reason

↗

A ground or cause; understanding or judgment; to think, discuss, or argue.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

hope

↗

1. Expectation, trust, reliance, or the good expected. 2. The person or ground on which expectation rests. 3. To expect, look for, trust, or rely upon.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fear

↗

1. Alarm, dread, terror, or apprehension. 2. Reverence, awe, or respectful regard. 3. A person, thing, or event feared or revered. 4. To fear, dread, or reverence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Peter 3:16

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

conscience

↗

The inward moral awareness that bears witness concerning one's conduct, accusing or excusing and approving or condemning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whereas

↗

1. Considering that. 2. While or when in fact. 3. In contrast to the fact that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

speak

↗

Sense 1: To utter words or articulate sounds, or to use a language. Sense 2: To address or converse with someone. Sense 3: To state, declare, make mention of, or otherwise make a matter known.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ashamed

↗

1. Brought to shame, dishonour, confusion, or disappointed expectation. 2. Feeling or showing shame or embarrassment because of conduct, condition, or exposure. 3. Unwilling or reluctant to own, acknowledge, associate with, or do something because of shame.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

conversation

↗

Sense 1: Conduct, behaviour, or manner of life. Sense 2: A person's commonwealth or place of belonging.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

1 Peter 3:17

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

suffer

↗

1. To permit, allow, let, or tolerate. 2. To endure, bear, experience, undergo, or be subjected to something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Surrounding Verses

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14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Selected passage

16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Selected passage

17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

Selected passage

18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

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