King James Version

What Does 1 Peter 1:15 Mean?

1 Peter 1:15 in the King James Version says “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;” — study this verse from 1 Peter chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”

1 Peter 1:15 · KJV

Context

13

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; to the end: Gr. perfectly

14

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

17

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter presents the positive command contrasting verse 14's prohibition. "But as he which hath called you is holy" (alla kata ton kalesanta hymas hagion, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸν καλέσαντα ὑμᾶς ἅγιον) establishes the standard: God who called believers is "holy" (hagion, ἅγιον)—utterly pure, morally perfect, separated from all evil. "Called" (kalesanta, καλέσαντα, aorist participle) refers to effectual calling—God's sovereign summons bringing believers from death to life, darkness to light. The comparative preposition "as" (kata, κατά, according to, in conformity with) indicates believers must pattern themselves after God's character. The command follows: "so be ye holy in all manner of conversation" (kai autoi hagioi en pasē anastrophē genēthēte, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἅγιοι ἐν πάσῃ ἀναστροφῇ γενήθητε). The verb genēthēte (γενήθητε, aorist imperative of γίνομαι) means "become" or "be"—take on holiness as defining characteristic. "In all manner of conversation" (en pasē anastrophē, ἐν πάσῃ ἀναστροφῇ) uses anastrophē meaning conduct, manner of life, behavior—not just speech but entire lifestyle. "All" (pasē, πάσῃ, every kind) excludes no area—holiness must characterize private and public life, thoughts and actions, words and deeds. Holiness isn't optional add-on for super-saints but normative Christian life flowing from regeneration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Peter echoes Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7 where God repeatedly commands Israel: "Be holy, for I am holy." This isn't arbitrary divine demand but ontological necessity—God's people must reflect God's character. In Levitical context, holiness involved separation from pagan nations, ceremonial purity, moral righteousness, and wholehearted devotion to Yahweh. Peter applies this to the church—the new Israel—with emphasis on moral/ethical holiness rather than ceremonial regulations fulfilled in Christ. For first-century believers surrounded by pagan immorality (temple prostitution, sexual license, drunkenness, violence, exploitation), holiness demanded radical counter-cultural lifestyle. This wasn't legalistic moralism but Spirit-empowered transformation flowing from new birth. The Reformed tradition emphasizes that justification (right standing) necessarily produces sanctification (right living)—those declared righteous are progressively made righteous. Calvin taught that election's purpose is holiness (Ephesians 1:4)—God chose believers not despite their sin but to transform them into Christ's image.

Reflection Questions

  1. In which specific areas of your 'manner of life' does God's holiness most challenge you to change?
  2. How does understanding holiness as conformity to God's character (not arbitrary rules) motivate your pursuit of godliness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
ἀλλὰ1 of 13

“But”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

κατὰ2 of 13

“as”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τὸν3 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καλέσαντα4 of 13

“he which hath called”

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

ὑμᾶς5 of 13

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἅγιοι6 of 13

“holy”

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

καὶ7 of 13

“so”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτοὶ8 of 13

“ye”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἅγιοι9 of 13

“holy”

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

ἐν10 of 13

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πάσῃ11 of 13

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἀναστροφῇ12 of 13

“manner of conversation”

G391

behavior

γενήθητε13 of 13

“be”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Peter. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Peter 1:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Peter 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 5:482 Corinthians 7:1Hebrews 12:14James 3:13Ephesians 5:1-21 John 3:3

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