Ensue
The Word in Scripture
The word "ensue" appears in 1 Peter 3:11 in the King James Version: "Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." The Greek word translated "ensue" is "dioko," which literally means "to pursue," "to chase," or "to follow after" with intensity and determination. Modern translations typically render this as "pursue it," making the active, intentional nature of the command more immediately clear to contemporary readers.
The Context of 1 Peter 3
Peter's use of "ensue" comes within a passage quoting Psalm 34:12-16, which Peter applies to the situation of early Christians facing hostility and misunderstanding. The full quotation runs from 1 Peter 3:10-12: "For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it." Peter draws on David's wisdom to encourage believers who were suffering for their faith, showing them that the path to blessing runs through active pursuit of goodness and peace.
More Than Passive Avoidance
The significance of "ensue" (pursue) in this passage lies in its active nature. Peter does not merely say to hope for peace or wait for it to arrive. The verb "dioko" implies effort, energy, and even urgency — the same word is used elsewhere for pursuing a fleeing enemy or chasing a goal. Paul uses the same word in Philippians 3:14: "I press toward the mark." Peace, in the biblical understanding, does not happen by default; it must be actively sought and vigorously pursued. This challenges any notion that Christians should be passive in the face of conflict or injustice.
The Biblical Call to Pursue Peace
The command to pursue peace echoes throughout Scripture. Romans 12:18 instructs, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Hebrews 12:14 says, "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy." Romans 14:19 urges, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." In each case, peace is presented not as a feeling but as a practice requiring deliberate effort. The consistent use of active verbs — seek, pursue, make every effort — shows that biblical peace demands engagement, not withdrawal.
Peace in the Midst of Suffering
Peter's command to ensue peace is especially striking given his audience's circumstances. First Peter was written to Christians scattered across Asia Minor who faced social ostracism, verbal abuse, and potential persecution (1 Peter 4:12-16). The call to pursue peace in such a context is not naive idealism but radical faithfulness. Peter understood that those who follow Christ would face opposition, yet he insisted that their response must be characterized by active peacemaking rather than retaliation (1 Peter 3:9). This teaching aligns with Jesus' own words: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
Ensue as a Model for Christian Living
The archaic word "ensue" captures a vital principle for Christian ethics: the life of faith is one of active pursuit, not passive existence. Believers are called to chase after peace with the same intensity that others chase after wealth, power, or pleasure. This pursuit reflects the character of God himself, who is described as the "God of peace" (Romans 15:33; Philippians 4:9) and who actively pursued reconciliation with humanity through the cross of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
Biblical Context
The word 'ensue' appears in 1 Peter 3:11 (KJV), where Peter quotes Psalm 34:14 to encourage persecuted Christians. The Greek word 'dioko' means to pursue actively. The passage is part of Peter's broader teaching on Christian conduct under persecution (1 Peter 3:8-17) and connects to the wider biblical theme of actively pursuing peace.
Theological Significance
The command to 'ensue' (pursue) peace teaches that Christian peacemaking requires deliberate, energetic effort. It reflects God's own character as the God of peace who actively reconciled the world to Himself. The call is particularly powerful in the context of suffering, where the natural response is retaliation, making active peace-pursuit a distinctive mark of Christ-like character.
Historical Background
The word 'ensue' in 17th-century English meant 'to follow after' or 'to pursue,' closely matching the Greek 'dioko.' First Peter was likely written from Rome around AD 62-64 to scattered Christian communities in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). These communities faced increasing social pressure and potential persecution under the Roman Empire, making the call to pursue peace both countercultural and costly.