1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written] It was a habit of St. Peter to clench his words in this way. From the sacred writings he recognised no appeal: cp. 1 Peter 1:24; 1 Peter 2:6; 1 Peter 3:5; 1 Peter 3:10; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 Peter 5:5; Acts 1:20; Acts 2:17; Acts 2:26; Acts 3:22; Acts 10:43 cp. 2 Peter 3:2. The words quoted occur several times in Leviticus (Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:26). The latter half of the quotation shows that the Law was intended to produce something much deeper than mere ceremonial holiness. The Christian must live as the Jew was meant to live, a consecrated life.

The licence of the heathen, unlike the freedom of the Christian, could be used as a cloke, or pretext, for wickedness (see RV); they would do what they chose, considering it no one's business but their own.