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Mace New Testament

1 Peter 3:16

always maintaining a good conscience, that instead of inveighing against you as evildoers, they may be cover'd with confusion, who traduce your virtuous behaviour as Christians.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Conscience;   Falsehood;   Influence;   Integrity;   Persecution;   Slander;   Speaking;   Thompson Chain Reference - Accusations, False;   Conscience;   Evil;   False;   Good;   Silence-Speech;   Slander;   The Topic Concordance - Suffering;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Conscience;   Slander;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Conscience;   Mark, gospel of;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Shame;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Peter, the Epistles of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Persecution in the Bible;   Slander;   1 Peter;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Conscience;   Conversation;   Evil Speaking;   Peter, First Epistle of;   Psychology;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Attributes of Christ;   Conscience ;   Evil-Speaking;   Example;   Goodness (Human);   Peter Epistles of;   Worldliness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Conscience;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Evil-Speaking;   Persecution;   Peter, the First Epistle of;   Regeneration;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for December 13;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
Simplified Cowboy Version
But whatever you do, be gentle and respectful. Do things the right way so your conscience is always clear. This way, when people speak ill of you to others, it will be the slanderer who is shamed because of your good conduct.
Bible in Basic English
Being conscious that you have done no wrong; so that those who say evil things about your good way of life as Christians may be put to shame.
Darby Translation
having a good conscience, that [as to that] in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may be ashamed who calumniate your good conversation in Christ.
World English Bible
having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Having a good conscience, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Weymouth's New Testament
Yet argue modestly and cautiously, keeping your consciences free from guilt, so that, when you are spoken against, those who slander your good Christian lives may be put to shame.
King James Version (1611)
Hauing a good conscience, that whereas they speake euill of you, as of euill doers, they may bee ashamed that falsly accuse your good conuersation in Christ.
Literal Translation
having a good conscience, that while they speak against you as evildoers, they may be shamed, those falsely accusing your good behavior in Christ.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
hauynge a good conscience, that they which bacbyte you as euell doers, maye be ashamed, that they haue falsely accused youre good couersacion in Christ.
Amplified Bible
And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].
American Standard Version
having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.
Revised Standard Version
and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
havinge a good consciece that when they backbyte you as evyll doars they maye be ashamed for as moche as they have falsely accused youre good conversacion in Christ.
Update Bible Version
yet with meekness and fear, having a good conscience; that, wherein you are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.
Webster's Bible Translation
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good deportment in Christ.
Young's Literal Translation
having a good conscience, that in that in which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who are traducing your good behaviour in Christ;
New Century Version
but answer in a gentle way and with respect. Keep a clear conscience so that those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be made ashamed.
New English Translation
Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.
Berean Standard Bible
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
Contemporary English Version
Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.
Complete Jewish Bible
keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are spoken against, those who abuse the good behavior flowing from your union with the Messiah may be put to shame.
English Standard Version
having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Hauing a good coscience, yt whe they speake euill of you as of euill doers, they may be ashamed, which slander your good conuersation in Christ.
George Lamsa Translation
Having a good conscience; so that they who speak evil of you, as of evil doers, may be ashamed as men who belittle your good works in Christ.
Christian Standard Bible®
However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.
Hebrew Names Version
having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Messiah.
International Standard Version
But do thisdo this">[fn] with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak evil of your good conduct in Christ will be ashamed of slandering you.Titus 2:8; Hebrews 13:18; 1 Peter 2:12;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
that as they speak against you as against evil men, they may be made ashamed who have traduced your good conversations in the Meshiha.
Murdock Translation
in meekness and respect, as having a good conscience; so that they who speak against you as bad men, may be ashamed, for having calumniated your good conduct in the Messiah.
New King James Version
having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
New Living Translation
But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
New Life Bible
Keep your heart telling you that you have done what is right. If men speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see the good way you have lived as a Christian.
English Revised Version
having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.
New Revised Standard
yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Having, a good conscience, in order that, wherein they speak against you, they may be put to shame who cast wanton insult on, your good behaviour in Christ.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
King James Version
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Lexham English Bible
But do so with courtesy and respect, having a good conscience, so that in the things in which you are slandered, the ones who malign your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And that with mekenesse and feare, hauyng a good conscience: that where as they backebite you as euyll doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conuersation in Christe.
Easy-to-Read Version
But answer them in a gentle way with respect. Keep your conscience clear. Then people will see the good way you live as followers of Christ, and those who say bad things about you will be ashamed of what they said.
New American Standard Bible
and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
Good News Translation
but do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but with myldenesse and drede, hauynge good conscience; that in that thing that thei bacbiten of you, thei ben confoundid, whiche chalengen falsly youre good conuersacioun in Crist.

Contextual Overview

16 always maintaining a good conscience, that instead of inveighing against you as evildoers, they may be cover'd with confusion, who traduce your virtuous behaviour as Christians. 17 for since it is the will of heaven you should suffer, it is better you should suffer for your virtue, than for any crimes.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a good: 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 2:19, Acts 24:16, Romans 9:1, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:19, 2 Timothy 1:3, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 13:18

whereas: 1 Peter 2:12, Titus 2:8

falsely: Matthew 5:11

good: 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 3:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:37 - set it here Genesis 43:21 - we have Exodus 23:1 - an unrighteous witness 1 Samuel 12:20 - Fear not 1 Samuel 22:15 - Did I then 1 Samuel 29:3 - found 1 Samuel 29:6 - thou hast Nehemiah 6:6 - It is reported Psalms 89:51 - footsteps Psalms 119:22 - for I have Proverbs 12:17 - but Isaiah 26:11 - be Jeremiah 37:14 - said Daniel 6:4 - but Matthew 5:16 - that Matthew 26:60 - found none Mark 14:55 - and found Luke 13:17 - all his Luke 23:2 - forbidding Acts 23:1 - I have Acts 24:13 - General Acts 26:31 - This man Acts 28:22 - for Romans 3:8 - we be Romans 12:17 - Provide Romans 13:5 - conscience Romans 14:18 - and 1 Thessalonians 4:12 - ye may walk 1 Timothy 6:1 - that the 2 Timothy 2:9 - as Titus 2:10 - adorn Philemon 1:6 - the acknowledging James 3:13 - a good 1 Peter 1:15 - in 1 Peter 4:4 - speaking 1 Peter 4:14 - ye be 1 John 4:17 - as

Cross-References

John 16:21
a woman when she is in travail, is afflicted at the approach of her pains: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, the remembrance of her anguish, is lost in her joy, that a man is born into the world.
1 Corinthians 7:4
the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife.
1 Corinthians 11:3
but I would have you take notice, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the wife, is the man; and the head of Christ, is God.
1 Corinthians 14:34
Let your women be silent in your assemblies: for they are not allowed to discourse there; but are to observe orders, as indeed the law implies:
Colossians 3:18
Dames, be submissive to your husbands, as becomes christians.
1 Thessalonians 5:3
whilst they flatter themselves with peace and safety, destruction shall fall upon them, like the pangs of a woman in travail, and they shall not escape.
1 Timothy 2:15
however the women may be saved by educating their children, and persevering themselves in faith, in charity, in holiness and chastity. this may be depended upon as true.
Titus 2:5
to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, good oeconimists, beneficent, submissive to their husbands,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Having a good conscience,.... Meaning not the faculty of the conscience itself, which is naturally evil, and defiled with sin, and is only made good by the sanctification of the Spirit, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, by which the heart is sprinkled from it, and that itself purged from dead works; but a life and conversation according to the dictates of such a conscience, in the uprightness and sincerity of it, and by the grace of God, and according to the Gospel, and whereby the doctrines of it are adorned; for, as besides internal sanctification of God, or a fearing of him, and believing in him with the heart, there must be a profession of him with the mouth, and a reason of faith and hope given verbally, when there is an occasion for it; so to both must be added a conscientious discharge of duty, both to God and men, which is one way of defending and recommending the doctrines of the Gospel:

that whereas they speak evil of you as of evildoers; as vain, proud, haughty, and arrogant persons, as seditious men, enemies to order and civil magistracy; as such that speak evil of dignities, and despise government; when they shall see your modest and humble deportment in the world, and before them, and with what reverence and esteem you treat them:

they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ; which was in consequence of their being in Christ, and made new creatures by him, and was as became his Gospel, and by and under the influence of his grace and Spirit.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Having a good conscience - That is, a conscience that does not accuse you of having done wrong. Whatever may be the accusations of your enemies, so live that you may be at all times conscious of uprightness. Whatever you suffer, see that you do not suffer the pangs inflicted by a guilty conscience, the anguish of remorse. On the meaning of the word “conscience,” see the notes at Romans 2:15. The word properly means the judgment of the mind respecting right and wrong; or the judgment which the mind passes on the immorality of its own actions, when it instantly approves or condemns them. There is always a feeling of obligation connected with operations of conscience, which precedes, attends, and follows our actions. “Conscience is first occupied in ascertaining our duty, before we proceed to action; then in judging of our actions when performed.” A “good conscience” implies two things:

(1) That it be properly enlightened to know what is right and wrong, or that it be not under the dominion of ignorance, superstition, or fanaticism, prompting us to do what would be a violation of the divine law; and,

(2) That its dictates must always be obeyed. Without the first of these - clear views of that which is right and wrong - conscience becomes an unsafe guide; for it merely prompts us to do what we esteem to be right, and if our views of what is right and wrong are erroneous, we may be prompted to do what may be a direct violation of the law of God. Paul thought he “ought” to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth Acts 26:9; the Saviour said, respecting his disciples, that the time would come when whosoever should kill them would think that they were doing God service, John 16:2; and Solomon says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death,” Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25 Under an unenlightened and misguided conscience, with the plea and pretext of religion, the most atrocious crimes have been committed; and no man should infer that he is certainly doing right, because he follows the promptings of conscience.

No man, indeed, should act against the dictates of his conscience; but there may have been a previous wrong in not using proper means to ascertain what is right. Conscience is not revelation, nor does it answer the purpose of a revelation. It communicates no new truth to the soul, and is a safe guide only so far as the mind has been properly enlightened to see what is truth and duty. Its office is “to prompt us to the performance of duty,” not “to determine what is right.” The other thing requisite that we may have a good conscience is, that its decisions should be obeyed. Conscience is appointed to be the “vicegerent” of God in inflicting punishment, if his commands are not obeyed. It pronounces a sentence on our own conduct. Its penalty is remorse; and that penalty will be demanded if its promptings be not regarded. It is an admirable device, as a part of the moral government of God, urging man to the performance of duty, and, in case of disobedience, making the mind its own executioner.

There is no penalty that will more certainly be inflicted, sooner or later, than that incurred by a guilty conscience. It needs no witnesses; no process for arresting the offender; no array of judges and executioners; no stripes, imprisonment, or bonds. Its inflictions will follow the offender into the most secluded retreat; overtake him in his most rapid flight; find him out in northern snows, or on the sands of the equator; go into the most splendid palaces, and seek out the victim when he is safe from all the vengeance that man can inflict; pursue him into the dark valley of the shadow of death, or arrest him as a fugitive in distant worlds. No one, therefore, can over-estimate the importance of having a good conscience. A true Christian should aim, by incessant study and prayer, to know what is right, and then always do it, no matter what may be the consequences.

That, whereas they speak evil of you - They who are your enemies and persecutors. Christians are not to hope that people will always speak well of them, Matthew 5:11; Luke 6:26.

As of evildoers - See the notes at 1 Peter 2:12.

They may be ashamed - They may see that they have misunderstood your conduct, and regret that they have treated you as they have. We should expect, if we are faithful and true, that even our enemies will yet appreciate our motives, and do us justice. Compare Psalms 37:5-6.

That falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ - Your good conduct as Christians. They may accuse you of insincerity, hypocrisy, dishonesty; of being enemies of the state, or of monstrous crimes; but the time will come when they will see their error, and do you justice. See the notes at 1 Peter 2:12.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 16. Having a good conscience — The testimony of God in your own soul, that in simplicity and godly sincerity you have your conversation in the world. See on the term conscience at the end of Hebrews.

Whereas they speak evil of you — See the same sentiment in 1 Peter 2:11, and the note there.


 
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