John Calvin Commentary 1 Peter 2:12

"having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." — 1 Peter 2:12 (ASV)

Your conversation The second part of the exhortation is that they should conduct themselves honestly toward men. What indeed precedes this is that their minds should be cleansed before God; but consideration must also be given to men, so that we do not become a hindrance to them.

And he expressly says, among the Gentiles; for the Jews were not only hated everywhere but were also almost abhorred. Therefore, they ought to have labored all the more carefully to wipe away the odium and infamy attached to their name by a holy life and well-regulated conduct.

For that admonition of Paul ought to be heeded: “To give no occasion to those who seek occasion.” Therefore, the slander and wicked insinuations of the ungodly should stimulate us to lead an upright life, for it is no time for living listlessly and securely, when they sharply watch us to find out whatever we do wrong.

That they — may glorify God He intimates that we should strive in this way, not for our own sake, so that men may think and speak well of us, but that we may glorify God, as Christ also teaches us.

And Peter shows how this would be accomplished: that the unbelieving, led by our good works, would become obedient to God and thus by their own conversion give glory to Him. For this he intimates by the words, in the day of visitation.

I know that some refer this to the last coming of Christ, but I understand it differently: namely, that God uses the holy and honest life of His people as a preparation to bring back the wandering to the right way.

For it is the beginning of our conversion when God is pleased to look on us with a fatherly eye; but when His face is turned away from us, we perish. Hence, the day of visitation can rightly be called the time when He invites us to Himself.