Instructions for Wives and Husbands
Study note
Peter encourages wives to win over unbelieving husbands through godly conduct rather than words. Inner beauty, a gentle and quiet spirit, is of great worth in God's sight, following the example of holy women of the past like Sarah. Husbands are called to live with their wives in an understanding way, honoring them as fellow heirs of the grace of life, so that nothing hinders their prayers.
1 In the same way, wives, follow your husband's lead. Then if any of them do not obey God's word, they might be won over without a single word. Your way of life will speak for itself. 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;
2 They will see how pure and respectful you are. While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Do not try to look beautiful on the outside with fancy hairstyles, gold jewelry, or fine clothing. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 Instead, let your beauty come from deep inside -- from a gentle and peaceful spirit. That is the kind of beauty that never fades, and it is very valuable to God. 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.
5 This is how godly women in the past made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and respected their husbands. 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:
6 Sarah, for example, obeyed Abraham and honored him. You become her true daughters when you do what is right and refuse to let fear control you. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7 Husbands, in the same way, be thoughtful about how you live with your wives. Treat them with honor, knowing that they may not be as physically strong but they share equally in the gift of life. Do this so that nothing will get in the way of your prayers. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Blessing Instead of Retaliation
Study note
Peter calls all believers to unity, compassion, brotherly love, tenderness, and courtesy. They must not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but instead offer blessing, because they were called to inherit a blessing. He quotes from Psalm 34 to reinforce that the Lord watches over the righteous and hears their prayers, but sets his face against those who do evil.
8 To wrap up: all of you should think alike, feel for each other, and love each other like family. Be kind, tender, and humble. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 When someone does something mean to you, do not do something mean back. When someone insults you, do not insult them back. Instead, ask God to bless them. That is what God called you to do, and you will receive a blessing for it. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 If you want to enjoy life and see good days, watch what you say. Keep your mouth from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 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:
11 Turn your back on evil and do what is good. Go after peace and chase it down. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 The Lord watches over people who do right and listens to their prayers. But he turns against those who do evil. 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.
Suffering for Doing Good
Study note
Peter reassures believers that those eager to do good generally will not be harmed, but even if they do suffer for righteousness, they are blessed. Rather than being afraid of threats, they should set apart Christ as Lord in their hearts and always be ready to explain the hope within them with gentleness and respect. A clear conscience is their best defense, putting accusers to shame.
13 Who is going to hurt you if you are always trying to do the right thing? And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are still blessed. Don't be afraid of their threats, and do not let your heart be troubled. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and reverence. 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:
16 Keep a clear conscience. Then if people say bad things about the way you live for Christ, they will end up embarrassed because your life proves them wrong. 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.
17 It is always better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God allows, than to suffer for doing wrong. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Christ's Death, Resurrection, and Proclamation
Study note
Peter grounds the call to righteous suffering in Christ's own example: he suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. Put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, Christ preached to the spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah. Peter draws a parallel between the flood waters and baptism, which saves not by washing the body but as an appeal of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who now reigns at God's right hand with all authorities subject to him.
18 Christ himself suffered and died for sins once and for all. He was an innocent man dying for guilty people, to bring you safely to God. His body was killed, but the Spirit brought him back to life. For Christ also hath once 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:
19 In the Spirit, he also went and proclaimed his message to the spirits who were locked away. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 These were the ones who refused to listen to God long ago, back when he waited patiently in Noah's day while the ark was being built. In that ark, only eight people were saved through the water. 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.
21 That water pictures baptism, which now saves you too. Baptism is not about cleaning dirt off your body. It is about making a promise to God from a clean heart, made possible because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 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:
22 Jesus has gone up to heaven and sits at God's right hand. Every angel, authority, and power has been placed under his command. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.