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Selected Verse: 1 Peter 2:15 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
1Pe 2:15	King James	For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Ground of his directing them to submit themselves (Pe1 2:13). put to silence--literally, "to muzzle," "to stop the mouth." ignorance--spiritual not having "the knowledge of God," and therefore ignorant of the children of God, and misconstruing their acts; influenced by mere appearances, and ever ready to open their mouths, rather than their eyes and ears. Their ignorance should move the believer's pity, not his anger. They judge of things which they are incapable of judging through unbelief (compare Pe1 2:12). Maintain such a walk that they shall have no charge against you, except touching your faith; and so their minds shall be favorably disposed towards Christianity.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Ground of his directing them to submit themselves (Pe1 2:13).

put to silence--literally, "to muzzle," "to stop the mouth."

ignorance--spiritual not having "the knowledge of God," and therefore ignorant of the children of God, and misconstruing their acts; influenced by mere appearances, and ever ready to open their mouths, rather than their eyes and ears. Their ignorance should move the believer's pity, not his anger. They judge of things which they are incapable of judging through unbelief (compare Pe1 2:12). Maintain such a walk that they shall have no charge against you, except touching your faith; and so their minds shall be favorably disposed towards Christianity.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
For so is the will of God - That is, it is in accordance with the divine will that in this way you should put them to silence. That with well doing - By a life of uprightness and benevolence. Ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men - See the notes at Tit 2:8. The reference here is to men who brought charges against Christians, by accusing them of being inimical to the government, or insubordinate, or guilty of crimes. Such charges, it is well known, were often brought against them by their enemies in the early ages of Christianity. Peter says they were brought by foolish men, perhaps using the word foolish in the sense of evil-disposed, or wicked, as it is often used in the Bible. Yet, though there might be malice at the bottom, the charges were really based on ignorance. They were not thoroughly acquainted with the principles of the Christian religion; and the way to meet those charges was to act in every way as became good citizens, and so as "to live them down." One of the best ways of meeting the accusations of our enemies is to lead a life of strict integrity. It is not easy for the wicked to reply to this argument.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

For so is the will of God - That is, it is in accordance with the divine will that in this way you should put them to silence.

That with well doing - By a life of uprightness and benevolence.

Ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men - See the notes at Tit 2:8. The reference here is to men who brought charges against Christians, by accusing them of being inimical to the government, or insubordinate, or guilty of crimes. Such charges, it is well known, were often brought against them by their enemies in the early ages of Christianity. Peter says they were brought by foolish men, perhaps using the word foolish in the sense of evil-disposed, or wicked, as it is often used in the Bible. Yet, though there might be malice at the bottom, the charges were really based on ignorance. They were not thoroughly acquainted with the principles of the Christian religion; and the way to meet those charges was to act in every way as became good citizens, and so as "to live them down." One of the best ways of meeting the accusations of our enemies is to lead a life of strict integrity. It is not easy for the wicked to reply to this argument.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Put to silence (φιμοῦν) A very graphic word, meaning to muzzle or gag. Compare Co1 9:9; Ti1 5:18. See on Mat 22:12. Ignorance (ἀγνωσίαν) In classical Greek it is an ignorance arising from not coming into contact with the person or thing to be known. It occurs only once again in the New Testament, Co1 15:34. Here it signifies not want of acquaintance, but of understanding; a state of ignorance. Of foolish men (τῶν ἀφρόνων ἀνθρώπων) Of the foolish men; the article referring to those just mentioned, who speak against them as evil-doers.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Put to silence (φιμοῦν)

A very graphic word, meaning to muzzle or gag. Compare Co1 9:9; Ti1 5:18. See on Mat 22:12.

Ignorance (ἀγνωσίαν)

In classical Greek it is an ignorance arising from not coming into contact with the person or thing to be known. It occurs only once again in the New Testament, Co1 15:34. Here it signifies not want of acquaintance, but of understanding; a state of ignorance.

Of foolish men (τῶν ἀφρόνων ἀνθρώπων)

Of the foolish men; the article referring to those just mentioned, who speak against them as evil-doers.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
The ignorance - Of them who blame you, because they do not know you: a strong motive to pity them.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

The ignorance - Of them who blame you, because they do not know you: a strong motive to pity them.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
For so is the will of God - God, as their supreme governor, shows them that it is his will that they should act uprightly and obediently at all times, and thus confound the ignorance of foolish men, who were ready enough to assert that their religion made them bad subjects. The word φιμουν, which we translate put to silence, signifies to muzzle, i.e., stop their mouths, leave them nothing to say; let them assert, but ever be unable to bring proof to support it.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

For so is the will of God - God, as their supreme governor, shows them that it is his will that they should act uprightly and obediently at all times, and thus confound the ignorance of foolish men, who were ready enough to assert that their religion made them bad subjects. The word φιμουν, which we translate put to silence, signifies to muzzle, i.e., stop their mouths, leave them nothing to say; let them assert, but ever be unable to bring proof to support it.

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