Though there are numerous (biblical) words the apostle could have used to communicate the notion of “see,” the term here is unique in the Bible and captures the concept of looking carefully, as a supervisor might do to satisfy himself that his employee has done the job well. The fact is that persons who are different catch an observer’s eye in a deeper way than those who are not different, so that the observer looks longer and more carefully. Like it or not, this is what those “born again” aliens should expect from their neighbours. As persons subject to extra scrutiny, these “exiles” need to be extra careful that their conduct is above reproach.
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.