1 peter 2:1 - Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,

Generated Verse: 1 peter 2:1

What does "1 peter 2:1" mean?


1 Peter 2:1 is a call to radical transformation for Christians, urging them to actively eliminate negative behaviors and attitudes from their lives. Let's break down each element:

"Putting away therefore": This connects to the previous chapter (1 Peter 1), which emphasizes being born again and having purified souls. "Therefore" means because of what was previously said, believers should act on what comes next. Since they have been redeemed and cleansed, they should now actively put off certain sinful behaviors. It implies a conscious and deliberate effort to change.

"All wickedness": This is a broad term encompassing any form of moral corruption, evil intentions, or actions that are contrary to God's will. It refers to general sinfulness and a departure from righteousness.

"All deceit": This refers to any form of dishonesty, trickery, or manipulation used to mislead or take advantage of others. It speaks to a lack of integrity and a willingness to be untruthful.

"Hypocrisies": This describes pretending to be virtuous or righteous while actually harboring sinful thoughts and desires. It is a form of double standard where a person's outward appearance does not match their inner reality. They are "play-acting" at faith.

"Envies": This refers to a feeling of resentment or discontent over another person's possessions, qualities, or successes. It is a destructive emotion that can lead to bitterness and ill will.

"All evil speaking": This includes gossip, slander, backbiting, and any other form of harmful or malicious speech intended to damage another person's reputation or well-being. It highlights the importance of using words to build up rather than tear down.

In summary, the verse calls believers to:

Actively reject all forms of sin and moral corruption.
Be honest and truthful in their dealings with others.
Live with authenticity and avoid hypocrisy.
Celebrate the success of others instead of being envious.
Use their words to encourage and uplift rather than to harm or tear down.

In essence, 1 Peter 2:1 is a call to live a life that reflects the new identity believers have in Christ. It's a call to shed the old ways of thinking and behaving and to embrace the values of love, truth, and righteousness.