Verse Lens · Concise explanation
1 Peter 3:16 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 16. 16Having 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.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse adds a good conscience and good conduct so slander against life in Christ may be exposed.
Read It With
- 1 Peter 3:13–22
Read 1 Peter 3:16 with 3:13–22. This verse adds a good conscience and good conduct so slander against life in Christ may be exposed. The complete unit establishes this movement: Even if doing good brings suffering, believers should resist intimidation, honor Christ, explain their hope gently with a good conscience, and look to the once-suffering righteous Christ whose resurrection, proclamation, ascension, and rule assure that hostile powers are not ultimate.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The unit answers how peace-seeking people face harm: neither terror nor revenge, but bounded witness grounded in Christ's vindicated suffering and authority. Within that movement, this verse adds a good conscience and good conduct so slander against life in Christ may be exposed.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“whereas they speak evil of you”
In plain language: The verse assumes slander but does not label every criticism false.
Adds a good conscience and good conduct so slander against life in Christ may be exposed. Witness includes accountable conduct and inward integrity, not words alone.
Why it matters: The wording identifies this verse's distinct contribution to the complete unit.
How certain? probableWhat Remains True
Witness includes accountable conduct and inward integrity, not words alone.
How It Can Shape Life
- Correct false claims with evidence while examining any true criticism.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 1 Peter 3:13–22 — Hopeful Witness Rests in Christ's Victory Through SufferingSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
A good conscience does not guarantee fair treatment or make institutional self-certification sufficient.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 1 Peter 3:13–22, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 1Pet.txt, 3:13–22
Open the 1 Peter Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 1 Peter with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, older-English wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 1 Peter PDF, 3:13–22 translation with attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 1 Peter PDF ↗