1 Peter 2:15
New International Version
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

New Living Translation
It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

English Standard Version
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Berean Standard Bible
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Berean Literal Bible
because the will of God is this: doing good, to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men,

King James Bible
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

New King James Version
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

New American Standard Bible
For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people.

NASB 1995
For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

NASB 1977
For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Legacy Standard Bible
For such is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Amplified Bible
For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people.

Christian Standard Bible
For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

American Standard Version
For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Contemporary English Version
God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right.

English Revised Version
For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right.

Good News Translation
For God wants you to silence the ignorant talk of foolish people by the good things you do.

International Standard Version
For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Majority Standard Bible
For it is God?s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.

NET Bible
For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

New Heart English Bible
For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people:

Webster's Bible Translation
For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Weymouth New Testament
For it is God's will that by doing what is right you should thus silence the ignorant talk of foolish persons.

World English Bible
For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
because, so is the will of God, doing good, to put to silence the ignorance of the foolish men—

Berean Literal Bible
because the will of God is this: doing good, to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men,

Young's Literal Translation
because, so is the will of God, doing good, to put to silence the ignorance of the foolish men;

Smith's Literal Translation
(For so is the will of God, those doing good to silence the want of knowledge of the foolish men:)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For such is the will of God, that by doing good you may bring about the silence of imprudent and ignorant men,

New American Bible
For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people.

New Revised Standard Version
For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For such is the will of God, that by your good works you may silence the mouth of foolish men, who know not God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For it is the will of God in this way that by your excellent works you may shut the mouths of fools - those who do not know God,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For such is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men;

Godbey New Testament
because thus it is the will of God, that doing good you should put to shame the ignorance of the ignorant people:

Haweis New Testament
For such is the will of God, that by well doing ye hold under restraint the ignorance of foolish men:

Mace New Testament
and to encourage those who do well, for such is the divine pleasure, that by your good conduct you obviate the cavils of inconsiderate

Weymouth New Testament
For it is God's will that by doing what is right you should thus silence the ignorant talk of foolish persons.

Worrell New Testament
for so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men;

Worsley New Testament
For so is the will of God, that by your good behaviour ye may silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Submission to Authorities
14or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Titus 2:7-8
In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, / and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.

Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without complaining or arguing, / so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Ephesians 5:8-10
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. / Test and prove what pleases the Lord.

Colossians 4:5-6
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. / Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Timothy 6:1
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Proverbs 3:3-4
Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. / Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.

Isaiah 32:17
The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. / He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun.

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.


Treasury of Scripture

For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

so.

1 Peter 4:2
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Ephesians 6:6,7
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; …

1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

with.

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.

Job 5:16
So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

Psalm 107:42
The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

the ignorance.

1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

2 Peter 2:12
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Jude 1:10
But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

foolish.

Deuteronomy 32:6
Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

Job 2:10
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Psalm 5:5
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

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Foolish God's Good Ignorance Ignorant Persons Pleasure Right Senseless Shame Silence Talk Well-Doing
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Foolish God's Good Ignorance Ignorant Persons Pleasure Right Senseless Shame Silence Talk Well-Doing
1 Peter 2
1. He exhorts to put away wickedness;
4. showing that Christ is the foundation whereupon they are built.
11. He beseeches them also to abstain from sinful desires;
13. to be obedient to authorities;
18. and teaches servants how to obey their masters;
20. patiently suffering for well doing, after the example of Christ.














For it is God’s will
This phrase emphasizes the divine purpose and intention behind the actions of believers. The Greek word for "will" is "θέλημα" (thelēma), which denotes a deliberate design or plan. In the context of 1 Peter, this underscores the sovereignty of God in guiding the moral and ethical behavior of Christians. Historically, the early church faced persecution and misunderstanding, and Peter reassures believers that their conduct aligns with God's overarching plan.

that by doing good
The phrase "doing good" is translated from the Greek "ἀγαθοποιέω" (agathopoieō), which means to perform acts of kindness and righteousness. This is not merely passive goodness but active engagement in virtuous deeds. In the historical context of the early church, Christians were often accused of subverting social norms. By actively doing good, they could demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel and counteract false accusations.

you should silence
The Greek word "φιμόω" (phimoō) is used here, meaning to muzzle or make speechless. This term conveys the idea of rendering opponents unable to speak against the truth of the Christian witness. In a world where Christians were often maligned, their consistent good works served as a powerful testimony that left critics without a basis for their accusations.

the ignorance
"Ignorance" comes from the Greek "ἄγνοια" (agnoia), referring to a lack of knowledge or understanding. In the scriptural context, this ignorance is not just intellectual but spiritual, reflecting a blindness to the truth of God’s revelation. The early Christians faced a society that often misunderstood or misrepresented their beliefs, and Peter encourages them to respond with integrity and wisdom.

of foolish men
The term "foolish" is derived from the Greek "ἄφρων" (aphron), which means senseless or lacking in wisdom. Biblically, foolishness is often associated with moral and spiritual deficiency rather than mere lack of intelligence. In the conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the contrast between the wisdom of God and the folly of those who reject His truth. The historical context of Peter's audience involved dealing with slander and false accusations, and this verse reassures them that their righteous conduct would ultimately reveal the folly of their detractors.

(15) For so is the will of God.--This refers to the command contained in the last two verses, which then is further explained by the clause which follows, "that with well-doing." See a very similar construction in 1Thessalonians 4:3. The "well-doing" of this and the last verse bears the most general sense of good conduct, not the special sense noticed on the "fair works" and "fair life" of 1Peter 2:12.

Put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.--A very contemptuous expression, the word for "put to silence" being the same as in 1Corinthians 9:9; 1Timothy 5:18, to "muzzle" or "gag," implying that there is something of the animal about these "foolish men." The same contempt appears in each word of the clause, even down to "men," which might be rendered "people" or "creatures." The word for "ignorance" implies a stolid and wilful ignorance, and is so used by heathen authors, as well as very markedly in the only other place in the New Testament, 1Corinthians 15:34. "Foolish," too, contains moral reprobation, Luke 11:40; Luke 12:20; 1Corinthians 15:36. suggesting thoughtlessness rather than senselessness. The definite article is also used in the Greek (as in 2Thessalonians 3:2), and again seems to indicate that St. Peter had some particular enemies in view who had brought the charges. This accusation was evidently one of a political nature; and, indeed, history shows us that the hostility of the empire to the faith was entirely based on the corporate nature of the Christian religion. They would not have minded the cultus, but they could not tolerate the Church. Pliny distinctly says in his letter to Trajan, that it was in consequence of Trajan's issuing an order against het?ri? or societies, that he was led to contend with the Christians in Bithynia. . . .

Verse 15. - For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. The Gentiles speak against the Christians as evil-doers; they are to put their accusers to silence by well-doing; this is to be their answer rather than indignant self-vindication. The Greek word rendered "put to silence" (φιμοῦν) means literally "to muzzle" (comp. Matthew 22:12; Mark 4:39; 1 Corinthians 9:10). The word for "ignorance" (ἀγνωσία) occurs, besides this passage, only in 1 Corinthians 15:34, where it evidently means "culpable, self-caused ignorance." The word for "foolish" (ἄφρων) is a strong one - it means "senseless" (comp. 1 Corinthians 15:36). Here it has the article, "the foolish men," i.e. those "who speak against you as evil-doers."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

it is
ἐστὶν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

will
θέλημα (thelēma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

that
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

by doing good
ἀγαθοποιοῦντας (agathopoiountas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 15: To do that which is good. From agathopoios; to be a well-doer.

you should silence
φιμοῦν (phimoun)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5392: To muzzle, silence. From phimos; to muzzle.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ignorance
ἀγνωσίαν (agnōsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 56: Ignorance; specifically: willful ignorance. Ignorance.

of foolish
ἀφρόνων (aphronōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 878: Senseless, foolish, inconsiderate. Properly, mindless, i.e. Stupid, ignorant, egotistic, rash, or unbelieving.

men.
ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.


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NT Letters: 1 Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)
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