1 Peter 1:14-16 14As obedient children, not conforming to the former passions in your ignorance, 15but according to the one who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct, 16for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Peter calls his readers to a high standard exemplified by obedient children, who listen to instruction and follow through. Obedience is the proof of genuine faith. The readers had come to believe in the message Peter described in his opening verses, but they could not stop with simple, baby-like faith; they needed to grow into God’s purpose for them, which Peter quotes from the Old Testament, from several possible passages (Leviticus 11:44–45; 19:2; 20:7, 26). Obedience requires humility, trust, and respect. How we view God is very important for how well we will obey God’s teachings. Honoring God through worship is the door that opens to obedience.
The main verb of these verses is given in verse 15, with its meaning completed with a predicate adjective: be holy(genēthēte hagioi). The subject of the verb is an emphatic you yourselves (autoi). The adverbial participle not conforming(syschēmatizomenoi) modifies this verb and indicates how to be holy. The readers needed to make an important decision about their lifestyle. They could prove their obedience and life holy lives by rejecting their old way of lives. Peter’s words echo what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:17-24.
Their old lives were influenced and controlled by passions (epithymiais) because they did not know the truth of Jesus. They lived in darkness spiritually and ethically. Their journey is the paradigm for all people. Once we know the gospel, why would we want to continue in this futile and empty way of living? Peter and other apostles believed that the good news of Jesus was so wonderful that everyone should hear about it and come to repentance. The challenge is that some people remain in their ignorance and rebellion against God. Awareness of a better way brings hope for change.
Peter described this salvation in the first part of the letter and then moves to exhortation. Our holiness comes in response to the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. We cannot be holy outside of God’s work in our lives. God’s holiness is one of the primary character qualities of God described in the Bible. God defines what holy means. Our holiness is our response to God’s holiness and is resourced and empowered by being in relationship with God. The cause of our holiness is God’s own holiness working in us. Our holiness necessitates the response of faith and obedience. We must trust ourselves to God and then put this trust to action by listening and obeying.
Peter adds the challenging words in all your conduct. Holiness is not just for certain part of our lives or the things we want or like to do, but all everything. We should not be partially sanctified but entirely sanctified. When an area of our lives is found to be out of sync with God’s will, we must confess, repent, and give this part of our lives over to God. This growth process may require new decisions every day as we face different situations and people.