1 Peter 2:16 “Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; l…”

1 Peter 2:16

Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

World English Bible

Live as free people, yet not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

American Standard Version

as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

Geneva Bible 1599

As free, and not as hauing the libertie for a cloke of maliciousnesse, but as the seruauntes of God.

Darby Translation

as free, and not as having liberty as a cloak of malice, but as God's bondmen.

Young's Literal Translation

as free, and not having the freedom as the cloak of the evil, but as servants of God;

Bible in Basic English

As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing, but living as the servants of God;

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Cross references

“free”

Galatians 5:13 Romans 6:22 Romans 6:18 1 Corinthians 7:22 Galatians 5:1 James 1:25

Galatians 5:13 · BSB

For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

Romans 6:22 · BSB

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.

Romans 6:18 · BSB

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

1 Corinthians 7:22 · BSB

For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.

Galatians 5:1 · BSB

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

James 1:25 · BSB

But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

“and”

Jude 1:4

Jude 1:4 · BSB

For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Ch…

“a cloke”

John 15:22 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Matthew 23:14

John 15:22 · BSB

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.

1 Thessalonians 2:5 · BSB

As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!

“but”

Ephesians 6:6 Colossians 3:24

Ephesians 6:6 · BSB

And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

Colossians 3:24 · BSB

because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Also

Matthew 23:13

Matthew 23:13 · BSB

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.

17Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Read 1 Peter 2