1 Peter 1:16
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
KJV
διότι γέγραπται ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, διότι ἐγὼ ἅγιος.
Greek NT
quoniam scriptum est : Sancti eritis, quoniam ego sanctus sum.
Vulgate
because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
ASV
Because it is written: You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Douay-Rheims
Open in reader with connections →
In the original Greek
5 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.
γράφω
grapho
verb · 192×
διότι
dioti
conjunction · 25×
εἰμί
eimi
verb · 2461×
ἅγιος
agios
adjective · 233×
ἐγώ
ego
pronoun · 1720×
Intertextual echoes
This verse quotes or alludes to 1 earlier text.
-
Lev 11:44 · exact_quote"For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."Leviticus: be holy for I am holy — Peter on holiness
Textual variants
3 variant units attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.
trivial
SBLGNT: ὅτι | WH/NIV: ὅτι
- ὅτι — SBLGNT
- ὅτι — Westcott-Hort, Reader's GNT (NA27)
source: sblgnt-apparatus
minor
SBLGNT: ἔσεσθε | WH/Treg/NIV: ἔσεσθε | RP: γίνεσθε
- ἔσεσθε — SBLGNT
- ἔσεσθε — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
- γίνεσθε — Robinson-Pierpont
source: sblgnt-apparatus
notable
SBLGNT: ἅγιος | WH/Treg: ἅγιος | NIV/RP: + εἰμι
- ἅγιος — SBLGNT
- ἅγιος — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles
- + εἰμι — Reader's GNT (NA27), Robinson-Pierpont
source: sblgnt-apparatus
Themes
Historic Christian voices
4 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.
The Lord Jesus, the divine Teacher and Model of all perfection, preached holiness of life to each and every one of His disciples of every condition. He Himself stands as the author and consummate of this holiness of life: "Be you therefore perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect." Thus it is evident to everyone that all the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status…
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy."
Cross-references
- 1Sam 2:2 — There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
- Exod 20:26 — Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
- Isa 5:16 — But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
- Lev 11:44 — For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the ear
- Lev 11:45 — For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
- Lev 19:2 — Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
- Lev 20:7 — Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
- Rev 15:4 — Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
- Rom 3:10 — As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: