Introductory remarks:
Peter teaches in this chapter the positive results of Christian suffering. "Peter says a wife might win her unbelieving husband by her pure, humble living, following the example of women like Sarah who was obedient to Abraham. Husbands should honor their wives, remembering they are also believers. In general, everyone should show compassion, love, courtesy, and honesty to each other, and run from evil because God hears the prayers of the righteous. Peter tells them not to fear what men can do, but with a clear conscience endure any false accusation men might make, if it is God's will. We know that Christ died for our sins and washed us clean by His resurrection and is now in heaven with power over everything" (A Survey of 1 Peter - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Wives and Husbands vv. 1-7: Suffering for righteousness' sake vv. 8-22.
Wives and Husbands
Verse 1, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives."
LGT "Likewise, ye wives, being subject to your husbands, in order that, even if any are disobedient to the Word, by the conduct of the wives, they without [the] Word may be gained."
Likewise: this adverb ties back to 1 Peter 2:18 and it means in like manner as the servants were to be in subjection to their masters, that is, wives are to be submissive as a help mate, not as a slave. To your own husbands: not to men in general, but only to their own man. In order that, even if any are disobedient to the Word: even if the husband remains a heathen. Disobedience in this context means refusal to believe on Christ, who is the word of life. No one has ever been saved apart from the Word of God. By the conduct of the wives: Peter is not teaching that it is ok for a believer to marry an unbeliever; but the fact of the matter is, it happens, and when it does, this is the way a wife must respond by being submissive. Now good sense tells us that it does not mean that the wife must obey the husband in doing things that are against her good conscience that she has been instructed in Bible doctrine. It means that she should respond to her husband as a godly loving wife, for God created men and women in this manner, that is, the man is the initiator of the action, which includes their sex-life, and the woman is the responder. They without the Word may be gained: the wife is to live dedicated to Christ, and therefore she should respect her husband based on the fact that she is a joint heir with Jesus Christ, and that by her conduct her husband will be able to see Christ in her. It does not mean that he will accept the Lord, but her life will be tolerable if she keeps her attention on the Word.
Verse 2, "While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear."
LGT "Having witnessed your chaste conduct [carried out] in fear:"
By being submissive to her unbelieving husband, and being modest in her conduct, and living in fellowship with the Lord, and not nagging her husband, she is a living testimony, and may accomplish more than she might realize.
Verse 3, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plating the hair, and wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel."
LGT "Whose adorning let it not be the outward [one] of braiding of hair, and putting around of gold, or putting on of garments."
Whose adorning let it not be the outward one of braiding of hair: "The Roman women of the day were addicted to extravagance in the adornment of the hair. Juvenal (Satire 6) satirizes these customs, He says: 'The attendants will vote on the dressing of the hair as if a question of reputation or of life were at stake, so great is the trouble she takes in quest of beauty; with so many tiers does she load, with so many continuous stories does she build up on high her head. She is tall as Andromache (the wife of Hector the Trojan champion slain by Achilles) in front, behind she is shorter, you would think her another person" (Vincent). And putting around of gold: this is wearing of gold in a way of drawing attention to oneself in a gaudy sense. Women wore gold inter woven in their hair which was quite a spectacle. Or putting on of garments: here again, a woman should be modest in her dress, not drawing attention to herself, but she should manifest the love of Christ in a sin-sick world; she should not try and be one with the world, but she should separate herself from the world.
Verse 4, "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."
LGT "But the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [ornament] of the meek and quiet spirit, which is before God of great price."
But the hidden man of the heart: Peter is explaining in this phrase that the hidden man is the soul, or as Paul put it in the seventh chapter of Romans, the inner man. Of course he is using the generic term man meaning mankind. In the incorruptible ornament of the meek and quiet spirit: this is opposed to the outward braiding the hair with gold, and putting on costly apparel of verse three. It is the inner eternal spirit of man opposed to the outward decaying physical appearance. Which is before God of great price: Peter is making the point that it is the quiet spirit in the woman that is acceptable to God, not the loud gaudy physical appearance. McGee noted: "this is very profoundly seen in the story of Boaz falling in love with Ruth after seeing her in the field, and hearing about her lovely spirit, and that he fell in love with her total person."
Verse 5, "For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands."
LGT "For just as formerly also the holy women, the ones hoping in God, used to adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands;"
Nothing is more appealing in a woman than the sweet submissiveness of her spirit to her own husband, and the giving of herself to her man. God is first in this woman's life, and it rules not only her behavior to her husband, but in the way she presents herself in public. Everyone can see that she is dedicated to one man, and that she loves her heavenly Father. We have evidence of this in the stories of the women of God in the O.T. I really don't have to leave my own home to experience this sweet spirit in my own wonderful wife.
Verse 6, "Even Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."
LGT "Just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: of whom ye became children, doing good and not fearing with any anxiety."
Just as Sarah obeyed Abraham: Peter uses Sarah as an example of a wife's privilege of obeying her husband as God had commanded the first pair, Adam and Eve. Sarah was a very beautiful woman, but that didn't detract from her looking up to Abraham. Calling him lord: not as slave's use the term, lord, meaning master, but as an obedient wife, looking up to her husband's God given authority. Of whom ye became children: these Jewish women were called children of Sarah, just as the men were called children of Abraham. Doing good: Peter is exhorting the women to imitate Sarah in that she feared God and obeyed her husband and God commanded. Not fearing with anxiety: if they were faithful in their duties as chaste and obedient wives, they would not experience fear in their relationship with their husbands, or fear of loosing their fellowship with God. Barnes notes: "Thus, by a life of Christian fidelity, un-awed by fear from any quarter, they would show that they were imbued with the same principles of unbending virtue which characterized the wife of the father of the faithful [Abraham-the spiritual father of all believers], and that they were not unworthy to be regarded as her daughters."
Verse 7, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
LGT "Husbands likewise, dwelling with [them] according to knowledge, as with a weaker, [even] with the female vessel, rendering [them] honor, as also [being] joint heirs of [the] grace of life, so as your prayers not to be cut off."
Husbands likewise: William Barclay has labeled this verse "reciprocal ethics", which I thing is very well thought out. Dwelling with them according to knowledge: Peter is saying that the husband should fellowship with his own wife according to Bible doctrine. Vincent notes on this phrase: "With an intelligent recognition of the nature of the marriage relation." As with a weaker, even with a female vessel: this does not mean that the husband is to treat his wife as a child, but the fact that they are delicate and need the man's protection. The wife is man's better half, and he needs to treat her with honor and respect, and he should place her on a pedestal where she belongs. Sometimes it takes a lifetime for a man to realize what a grand position it is to be married to a good wife and to honor her as the mother of his children; I know, because I am blessed with exactly this type of woman. As also being joint heirs of the grace of life: the Christian men as well as the Christian woman are recipients of the same grace that saved them, and they are to treat one another as they would treat the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom both are married to for eternity. In many cases, especially my own, God may see the woman as man's superior, not simply his equal. So as your prayers may not be cut off: so that as you fellowship around the Word of God together, you may not miss out by being distracted by anger, or some other worldly distraction. Taking the proper Biblical view of one another will allow you both to receive the maximum blessing in your fellowshipping together.
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake
Verse 8, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."
LGT "Finally, all [being] of one mind, sympathizing, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humble minded:"
Finally: directed at the brotherhood in general. All being of one mind: Peter says that there should be harmony among the brotherhood. Sympathizing: "interchange of fellow-feeling in joy or sorrow" (Vincent). Loving as brethren: love one another as joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Tenderhearted: feeling with tenderness at your brother's joys or sorrows, and being able to rejoice or being sensitive to his sorrow. Humble minded: the best texts read humble minded rather than courteous. Humility comes as a result of the other feelings previously mentioned.
Verse 9, "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
LGT "Not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary, blessing, because that to this you were called, in order that you should inherit blessing."
Not rendering evil for evil: this evil could be either by word or deed; we are not to get even, but commit the problem to the Lord and let vengeance be His. Or reviling for reviling: this is when someone hates you; you should not hate them in return, but try and heal the feelings. But on the contrary, blessing: this is turning the other cheek, that is, try and look at things through the other person's eyes, and try and take a loving perspective on all situations. Because that to this you were called: every Christian has been called to allow the Holy Spirit to live through them, and a great motive is given in the next phrase: in order that you should inherit blessing: every Christian should be motivated by the promise of rewards. A Christian not interested in future rewards in heaven is poor indeed. The closer I get to heaven, the more I think about the Bema Seat of Christ where these blessings will be meted out; some will receive rewards, and some will suffer loss.
Verse 10, "for he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile."
LGT "For he that wills to love life, and to see good days, cause his tongue to cease from evil, and the lips not to speak guile."
Peter is loosely quoting Psalm 34:12-16 in this group of verses 1Pe 3:10-12. Peter is saying that if they wanted to get the most out of living, and enjoy life they would have to cease speaking evil things about one another, and not to speak guile, which is deceit, that is, having a lying tongue. A man cannot be happy when he is involved in speaking evil and being deceitful.
Verse 11, "Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it."
LGT "And let him turn away from evil, and let him do good; let him seek peace, and let him pursue it."
And let him turn away from evil: the word eschew in the KJV means to turn away from. We are not to have thing to do with any thing that is evil in God's sight. And let him do good: by enjoying life and not speaking evil and guile. Let him seek peace, and let him pursue it: the pursuit of every Christian should be seeking peace among the brotherhood.
Verse 12, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
LGT "Because the eyes of [the] Lord [are] upon [the] righteous, and His ears towards their supplication, but [the] face of [the] Lord [is] against doing evil."
This verse concludes Peter's quotation of Psalms 34:12-16. The Lord is a protecting shield for the believer, and He does not allow anything to happen to His children that is not His will. It is true that the good suffer with the evil, but any suffering the believer might experience is for a brief hour; however, the unbeliever will suffer for eternity.
Verse 13, "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"
LGT "And who [is] he that shall harm you, if ye be zealous of that which [is] good?"
Peter is speaking of spiritual harm, for all believers are secure in Christ. If any believer suffers it will be on account of his or her position in Christ, and this type of suffering will be rewarded in eternity. The "if" in this phrase is in the third class condition so it is a future probable condition, meaning that it will probably take place that you will be maligned on account of your position in Christ.
Verse 14, "But if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled."
LGT "But if ye should also suffer on account of righteousness, blessed [ye are]. But ye should not be afraid of their terror, neither should ye be troubled."
But if ye should also suffer on account of righteousness, blessed ye are: the "if" in this phrase is in the fourth class condition meaning that it is a possibility of suffering, but it is a probability that you will not suffer. In either case, whether you suffer or not, you are blessed, and His grace is sufficient to see you through any situation. Believers are not controlled by circumstances as long as they submit to the Holy Spirit's guidance in the Word of God. But ye should not be afraid of their terror: these Christians were living on troubled times when all Christians had to look out for those who would trouble them; but Peter says do not fear their threats. Neither should ye be troubled: Peter is telling them not to live in fear expecting trouble, for the grace of God will be their protector, and if they should suffer for righteousness, count it a pleasure, and He will give you the strength to endure.
Verse 15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
LGT "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, being ready always for a defense to everyone that asks you an account concerning the hope in you:"
But sanctify: sanctify [hagiasate] means to set apart. Christ as Lord in your hearts: Christ must be set apart from everything and everybody, and this is what being occupied by Christ, and to occupy Christ means. All our thoughts should include Christ. We should not make decisions without first and foremost consulting Christ, which is, putting Him first in our ways. The only way to be occupied by Christ is to be occupied within His Word. Being ready always for a defense: this does not mean defending Christ or being occupied in Biblical criticism, but defending your own belief and dedication to the Lord, which is sanctifying Christ as Lord in your hearts. To everyone that asks you an account concerning the hope in you: This is true witnessing. We are not to go out and force our belief on others; what sanctifying means is walking in the Light of God's Word, and putting Him first. When we do this, it will be obvious to others that we are different, and that our God is the true and only God. We are not to pretend that we are Christians, we are to prove by our lives that we are Christians.
Verse 16, "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."
LGT "But with meekness and fear, having a good conscience, in order that whereas ye are spoken against, they may be ashamed who calumniate your good manner of life in Christ."
But with meekness and fear: being God fearing with an attitude of modesty and gentleness. Having a good conscience: this means knowing yourself that you are walking in the Light, and not putting on a show of religiosity, and trying to convince people you are holy; a good conscience is knowing that you are sincere, and that you are truly living in fellowship with the Father. You may be able to fool others, but it is impossible, with a sane mind to fool oneself. In the believer the Holy Spirit is dwelling in the spirit, and convincing and convicting of sin, that it may be dealt with through the mechanics of 1 John 1:9, confessing [naming] sin to God. In order that whereas ye are spoken against: knowing in your own conscience that the evil that is spoken against you is not true, by having a good conscience. They may be ashamed who calumniate your good manner of life in Christ: your good conscience is able to stand against those who speak evil against you because of your fellowship with Christ, and knowing that they are really maligning the Lord God, and not you personally, that is, if you are walking in the Light of God's Word, and not giving them a reason to malign you.
Verse 17, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing."
LGT "For [it is] better [for you] doing good, if the will of God wills [it], to suffer, than doing evil."
Suffering for the cause of Christ quietly, not only quiets calumny, but it also is its own reward, knowing that you are in the will of God; but to suffer because you have screwed up, and are living in sin, and the gossip is all around you, this is not to be regarded as suffering for righteousness.
Verse 18, "For Christ also suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
LGT "Because Christ indeed once suffered for sins, [the] just for [the] unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in flesh, but made alive [by the] Spirit."
Because Christ indeed once suffered for sins: not His own, but our sins, and not only our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world 1 John 2:2. No one goes to hell for sinning; they go to hell for refusing to allow the blood of Christ to cleanse them because of their total willing rejection of Him as their Savior. The just for the unjust: Christ was sinless and died willingly, even though He was falsely charged, and crucified between two deserving thieves. In order that He might bring us to God: Christ died in order that we do not have to die spiritually, and that we have been imputed by Him with His own righteousness, in order that we are made fit to become a family member in His eternal family in heaven. Having been put to death in the flesh: Christ became a man for this reason, that He might sacrifice His own body on that cross, satisfying God the Father's just demand for sin to be paid for with the blood of His only begotten Son. But made alive by the Spirit: The Holy Spirit resurrected Christ, and Christ is now seated at His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.
Verses 19, 20, "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a-preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. "
LGT "In which also having gone He preached to the spirits in prison, [who] disobeyed sometime, when once was waiting the longsuffering of God in [the] days of Noah, [while was] being prepared [the] ark, into which few, that is eight souls, were saved through water:"
In which also having gone He preached to the spirits in prison: this is one of the most misunderstood and abused passages of Scripture in the entire New Testament. These two verses, 19 & 20, are the basis of the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory, which is fallacious in its very conception. Peter is not teaching that Christ went down into hell after He died on the cross, and preached to these sinners who refused to believe Noah. The entire passage is, I believe, teaching that Christ was preaching to these in prison, being in hell waiting for their release to stand before the Great White Throne of judgment, where they will be sent to their eternal misery in the lake of fire, through Noah while he was building the ark. The reference to the spirits in prison is that this is where they were when Peter was teaching this doctrine, and they are still in prison today. It is totally absurd to think that it is a doctrine of a second chance, for this would contradict Paul's teaching in Hebrews, "it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this judgment" (Heb. 9:27). (If any of you have E-Sword, you might want to check Barnes' commentary where he aptly presents the different views that are held by several commentators).
Verse 21, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ;"
LGT "Which figure also saves us now [even] baptism, not of flesh, a putting away of [the] filth, but [the] demand towards God of a good conscience, by [the] resurrection of Jesus Christ;"
The relative pronoun (which) refers back to the antecedent in the last verse of Noah and his family saved by the ark floating on the water. So, you see, the water baptism in Peters' day, before the Bible was completed, is a figure or type of Spirit baptism, the same that saved Noah and his family. Now the question might be, does baptism save? The answer is yes, if you are speaking of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which every believer is baptized with the moment of accepting Christ as Savior; this is all made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most denominations still practice baptism, but I believe it is an exercise in futility, because we are already baptized in the Holy Spirit, and nothing more can possibly be added to our position in Christ. The exercise we Christians should be occupied with is staying the maximum amount of time in fellowship with our heavenly Father. We have the completed Word of God today in this age of grace, so it is completely unnecessary to continue practicing types, or as some call the sacraments. The demands of God are that in order for Him to accept anyone they must be perfect; this is exactly what happens when a person accepts Christ as Savior, they are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit and placed into union with Christ, and are imputed with the righteousness of Christ; so positionally we are all seated at the right hand of God with Christ.
Verse 22, "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him."
LGT "Who is at [the] right hand of God, gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to Him."
Christ is now seated at His rightful place at the right hand of His Father. All heaven and earth are subjected to Him. Just think! We are all united with our big brother Christ, and we are members of this great heavenly family, joint-heirs to all the heavenly promises, loved by the Father with exactly the same agape love He has for His Son, because of His resurrection from among the dead. How could we even desire anything more wonderful? Praise His precious name forever.
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