Wives and Husbands
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, — 1 Peter 3:1–5
To be submissive to another's authority means to cooperate voluntarily out of love and respect for God and for that person. Ideally, submission in a relationship should be mutual ("Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ"; Ephesians 5:21). Even when it is one-sided, however, the expression of submission can be an effective Christian witness. Jesus Christ submitted to death so that we could be saved; we may sometimes have to submit to unpleasant circumstances so that others will see Christ in us. (Christian submission never requires us to disobey God, remain in an unsafe situation, or participate in what our consciences forbid.) One-sided submission requires tremendous strength. We could not do it without the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. — 1 Peter 3:6
When a man became a Christian, he would usually bring his whole family into the church with him (see, for example, the story of the conversion of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:29-34). By contrast, a woman who became a Christian would usually come into the church alone. Under Roman law, a husband and father had absolute authority over all members of his household, including his wife. Demanding her rights as a free woman in Christ could endanger her marriage if her husband disapproved. Peter reassured Christian women who were married to unbelievers that they did not need to preach to their husbands. Under the circumstances, their best approach would be one of godly behavior: They should show their husbands the kind of self-giving love that Christ showed the church. At the very least, the men might then allow them to continue practicing their faith; at best, their husbands may join them by becoming Christians too.
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. — 1 Peter 3:7
A changed life speaks loudly and clearly, and it is often the most effective way to influence our family members. Peter instructs Christian wives to develop inner beauty rather than being overly concerned about their outward appearance. Their husbands will be won over by their love, kindness, and generosity. This does not mean that Christian women should be invisible or unattractive; we should certainly take care of ourselves physically. However, it is even more important to take care of ourselves spiritually and allow God to transform our hearts. True beauty begins on the inside, and it is our inner transformation that will have the greatest influence on others (Proverbs 31:30).
When Peter says that women may be "weaker" than men, he is not implying moral or intellectual inferiority but recognizing that, in general, women are not as physically strong as men. Women in his day, if unprotected by men, were vulnerable to attack, abuse, and financial disaster. Women's lives may be easier today, but women are still vulnerable to criminal attack, physical assault, and family abuse. And in spite of increased opportunities in the workplace, many women still earn considerably less than most men, and a huge percentage of those who are poor are single mothers and their children. A man who honors his wife as his equal will protect, respect, help, and stay with her; he will lighten her load wherever he can. He will be sensitive to her needs, and he will relate to her with courtesy, consideration, insight, and tact.
If a man does not show consideration and respect for his wife, his prayers will be hindered, because a living relationship with God depends on right relationships with others. Jesus said that if someone has a problem with a fellow believer, he or she must make it right with that person before coming to worship (Matthew 5:23-24). This principle carries over into family relationships. If a man uses his position to mistreat his wife, his relationship with God will suffer.
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. — 1 Peter 3:8
Peter lists five key elements that should characterize any group of believers: (1) one mind—pursuing the same goals; (2) sympathy—being responsive to others' needs; (3) love—seeing and treating one another as brothers and sisters; (4) tenderness—being affectionately sensitive and caring; and (5) humility—being willing to encourage one another and rejoice in one another's successes. These five qualities go a long way toward helping believers serve God well.
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. — 1 Peter 3:9
Where is God? How can we know God is real? Who says the Bible is any better than other holy books? To answer these questions, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, as living evidence. God also chose Peter and others to show what a difference true faith makes in the real world. So here the once impulsive, belligerent, domineering, and arrogant Peter bears witness to a life of harmony, compassion, love, and humility. What a difference God makes! You, too, are God's witness to skeptical people. Let your life be evidence of his truth. Let your pride become humility and your insensitivity give way to genuine affection for others.
In our fallen world, it is often deemed acceptable by some to tear people down verbally or to get back at them if we feel hurt. Peter, remembering Jesus' teaching to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), encourages his readers to pay back wrongs with blessings, such as by praying for the offenders. In God's Kingdom, revenge is unacceptable behavior, as is insulting a person, no matter how indirectly it is done. Rise above getting back at those who hurt you. Instead of reacting angrily to these people, pray for them.
For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. — 1 Peter 3:10–11
Too often we see peace as merely the absence of conflict, and we think of peacemaking as a passive role. But an effective peacemaker actively pursues peace by building good relationships. A peacemaker anticipates problems and deals with them before they occur. When conflicts arise, they are brought into the open and dealt with before they grow unmanageable. Making peace takes hard work. We have to search for it and work to maintain it, but it results in God's blessing.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." — 1 Peter 3:12
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, — 1 Peter 3:13–15
Instead of being afraid of people, believers are to focus on Christ. This means regarding Christ as Lord in our hearts, where fear normally dwells. Peter says to replace fear with faith and honor. By acknowledging Christ as Lord, we can rest in him and have no fear. When believers honor him in their hearts, they have confidence that he controls events, that he reigns as King, and that all powers and authorities ultimately must answer to him.
Some Christians treat faith as a personal matter that should be kept to oneself. While we shouldn't be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing our faith, we should always be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our beliefs, life choices, or Christian perspective. Can others see your hope in Christ? Be prepared at all times to tell them what he has done in your life.
having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. — 1 Peter 3:16
You may not be able to keep people from speaking evil against you, but you can at least stop supplying them with ammunition. As long as you do what is right, their accusations will be empty and only embarrass them. Keep your conduct above criticism.
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. — 1 Peter 3:17–20
The meaning of preaching "to the spirits in prison" is not completely clear, and commentators have explained it in different ways. The traditional interpretation is that between his death and resurrection, Christ announced salvation to God's faithful followers who had been waiting for their salvation during the whole Old Testament era. Another is that Christ's Spirit was in Noah as Noah preached to those imprisoned by sin (but now in hell). Still others say that Christ went to Hades to proclaim the triumph of his resurrection, his victory over sin and death, and the final condemnation to the fallen angels who had been imprisoned there since Noah's day (see 2 Peter 2:4-5; Jude 1:6).
In any case, the passage shows that Christ's Good News of salvation and victory is unlimited. While some Bible passages, such as this one, may remain unclear, we can discover certain truths from them as we keep in mind the context of the rest of Scripture. In this passage, we discover these truths: (1) God speaks. While we puzzle over what, where, and how, we can see that God loves to communicate with his people in the world. (2) God triumphs. Jesus Christ victoriously preached, indicating his power, control, and transcendence over all creation. (3) God saves. God exerts himself to rescue those who desire him. This mysterious passage tells us at least this much—and this is much indeed.
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, — 1 Peter 3:21
Peter says that Noah's salvation from the Flood symbolized baptism. In baptism we identify with Jesus Christ, who separates us from the lost and gives us new life. The ceremony doesn't save us; rather, the ceremony confirms our faith in Christ's death and resurrection. Baptism is a symbol of the cleansing that happens in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12). By identifying themselves with Christ through baptism, Peter's readers could resist turning back, even under the pressure of persecution. Public baptism would keep them from the temptation to renounce their faith.
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. — 1 Peter 3:22
Peter now exalts Christ and his victory over everything, all "angels and authorities and powers." Peter himself had been an eyewitness to Christ's ascension. He had watched as Jesus was taken up into a cloud (Acts 1:9). When Jesus ascended, he went to sit in authority and favor at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Mark 16:19; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 4:14). At the Father's right hand, Christ has royal power and dignity as a result of his resurrection (Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36). Christ's authority includes everything on earth and heaven; all is subject to him. One day, when he comes to judge, his power and authority will be made known to everyone.