What is God's will according to 1 Peter 2:15? The Key Verse 1 Peter 2:15: “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.” What God’s Will Is in This Verse • God explicitly wants believers to be known for “doing good.” • Good works are not optional extras; they are His chosen means to counter false accusations. • The verse presents a cause-effect relationship: our consistent goodness quiets uninformed critics. How Doing Good Silences the Ignorant • Visible righteousness undercuts slander; an accuser’s words lose weight when facts prove otherwise (cf. 1 Peter 2:12). • Good deeds expose the emptiness of hostile claims, leaving critics with nothing credible to say (cf. Titus 2:7-8). • Obedient living glorifies God and wins a hearing for the gospel (cf. Matthew 5:16). Living It Out: Practical Ways to “Do Good” • Honor authorities (1 Peter 2:13-14) even when they are imperfect. • Speak truthfully, refuse gossip, and bless those who insult you (1 Peter 3:9). • Show tangible love—help a neighbor, support the needy, volunteer time and skills. • Work with integrity so employers and coworkers see Christ’s character (Colossians 3:23). • Respond to personal attacks with gentleness and respect, maintaining a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:15-16). Supporting Passages That Echo 1 Peter 2:15 • Romans 12:21 — “Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” • Galatians 6:9-10 — “Let us not grow weary in well-doing… let us do good to everyone.” • Ephesians 2:10 — We are created in Christ “to do good works, which God prepared in advance.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:15 — “Always strive to do what is good for one another and for everyone else.” Summary God’s declared will is simple and direct: believers must habitually do good. Such Spirit-empowered goodness unmasks baseless accusations, magnifies God’s glory, and advances the gospel in a skeptical world. |