How does 1 Peter 2:1 connect with Ephesians 4:31 on behavior? A shared call to clean house 1 Peter 2:1: “Therefore rid yourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.” Ephesians 4:31: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.” The overlap in the lists • malice — appears in both verses as the catch-all term for ill-will toward others • deceit / hypocrisy — the inner dishonesty that breeds outward conflict • envy / bitterness — sour attitudes that refuse to celebrate another’s good • slander — the tongue’s weapon, condemned by both Peter and Paul • rage, anger, outcry — Paul’s expansion, naming the explosive forms Peter’s list implies Why both apostles command the same purge • Same new birth: “you have been born again” (1 Peter 1:23); “created to be like God” (Ephesians 4:24) • Same holiness standard: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16); “imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1) • Same body life: Peter writes to scattered believers; Paul writes to a local church—unity demands clean hearts Reinforcing voices in Scripture • James 1:21 — “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth…” • Colossians 3:8 — “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things: anger, rage, malice, slander…” • Romans 13:12 — “So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” • Proverbs 4:24 — “Put away deceitful speech, and keep devious talk far from you.” Practical steps from the texts 1. Identify: call each attitude sin, not personality. 2. Eject: decisive action—“rid yourselves,” “get rid”—as one throws spoiled food from a kitchen. 3. Replace: • crave “pure spiritual milk” of the Word (1 Peter 2:2) • put on “kindness, compassion, forgiveness” (Ephesians 4:32) 4. Guard community: recognize these sins fracture fellowship faster than open persecution. 5. Keep short accounts: confession and restitution the moment envy, bitterness, or slander surface. Motives that fuel obedience • We reflect God’s character to a watching world. • We protect the unity for which Christ prayed (John 17:21). • We clear space for growth into salvation (1 Peter 2:2) and Spirit-filled living (Ephesians 4:30). Takeaway Peter and Paul speak with one voice: the new life in Christ demands that every trace of relational poison be thrown out. Freedom from malice, deceit, envy, anger, and slander is not optional housekeeping—it is essential evidence that the Word has taken root and the Spirit is at work. |
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