1 Peter 3:11

1 Peter 3:11 ‘And let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it'

‘let him' -The language of choice.

‘turn away from evil' -‘shun wrong' (Mof) (Proverbs 4:14). Evil isn't impossible to avoid. Temptation can be resisted (1 Corinthians 10:13). You don't have to strike back or retaliate! Nothing forces you to respond in that manner, except your own stubbornness.

‘do good' -More is required than simply abstaining from evil. Too many people practice. negative goodness. (2 Timothy 2:22; Galatians 5:22)

‘Let him seek peace and pursue it' -‘Seek'-‘seek after, strive after, aim at' (Thayer p. 272). ‘Peace'-peace with his or her brethren (1 Peter 3:8), and peace with enemies (Romans 12:18). ‘Pursue'-‘seek after eagerly, earnestly' (Thayer p. 153). ‘strive for, aspire after' (Arndt p. 201). ‘Searching for peace and going after it with all his heart' (Bas); ‘try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it' (Tay). ‘”Seek peace” addresses motive; one is not looking for. fight but has an earnest search for concord.' (Hamilton p. 151) The child of God must be. peace-maker (Matthew 5:9).

Peter gives three arguments to motivate people towards godly living: 1. It secures happiness in this life. 2. It finds favor and protection of God (1 Peter 3:12). 3. It commonly disarms the malice of men (1 Peter 3:13). Peace with others is no accident.