The Epistles · Chapter 3 of 5

1 Peter 3

Peter counsels wives and husbands toward gentleness and honor, then widens to the whole church: be of one mind, compassionate, returning blessing for evil. He urges readiness to give a reason for their hope with meekness, and a good conscience even when slandered. It is better to suffer for well doing. He grounds all of this in Christ, who suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God.

What happens in 1 Peter 3

Peter addresses wives, urging that their true adorning be the hidden, imperishable beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, precious to God, and pointing to holy women like Sara (v1-6). Husbands are told to dwell with knowledge, honoring their wives as fellow heirs of grace, that their prayers be not hindered (v7). Widening out, he calls all to be of one mind, compassionate, loving, courteous, not rendering evil for evil but blessing, quoting Psalm 34 about refraining the tongue and seeking peace (v8-12).

He then addresses suffering for righteousness: do not fear, but sanctify Christ as Lord in the heart and be ready to answer everyone about their hope with meekness (v13-17). He grounds it all in Christ, who suffered once, the just for the unjust, was put to death in flesh but quickened in spirit, preached to spirits in prison, and is now risen and enthroned above all powers (v18-22).

1 Peter 3 in context

Peter continues instructing scattered believers on holy conduct within a hostile society, moving from household relationships to the wider community and to the reality of suffering for faith. The marriage counsel addresses homes where a spouse may not yet believe.

Verses 18 to 22 are among the most debated in the letter, touching Noah, baptism as figure, and Christ's proclamation to the spirits in prison, but their center is clear: Christ's death and exaltation.

Main themes of 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3 (KJV)

1Likewise, 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; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But 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. 5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7Likewise, 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. 8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12For 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. 13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But 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: 16Having 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. 17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18For 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: 19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which 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. 21The 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: 22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Verses to carry from 1 Peter 3

“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:”1 Peter 3:15

“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:”1 Peter 3:18

“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”1 Peter 3:9

Reflection

When someone speaks evil of you, notice the pull to return the insult, then choose blessing instead. Let your steadiness raise a question others cannot ignore, and be ready to point them gently to your hope. Ask where an unquiet spirit needs to grow still today.

A prayer from 1 Peter 3