1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Study Note
Study Note
'Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation' — the verse introduces 1 Peter's strategy for social engagement: honorable conduct as apologetic and missional witness. The 'day of visitation' (hēmera episkopēs) draws on the Old Testament's divine inspection of communities (Isaiah 10:3; Ezekiel 9:1), here applied to the eschatological moment when even those who slandered Christians will recognize the divine reality in their lives. The social logic is counter-intuitive: honor in the face of unjust accusations is the most effective apologetic, allowing the behavior itself to speak when verbal defense is unavailable or counterproductive. The verse belongs to 1 Peter's sustained exhortation to diaspora Christians about how to inhabit hostile social environments with integrity and witness (2:11–3:17).
Other Translations
having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
having your behaviour among the nations right, that in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, of the good works having beheld, they may glorify God in a day of inspection.
Being of good behaviour among the Gentiles; so that though they say now that you are evil-doers, they may see your good works and give glory to God when he comes to be their judge.
Cross References
And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to …
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this …
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God …
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it …
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely …
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may …
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they …
But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.