1 Peter 3:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 3:1-7

I. SUBJECTION OF WIVES TO THEIR HUSBANDS . 1. Duty stated. "In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands." The space which is here given to wives, especially in comparison with what is given to husbands, points to the great influence of women in the early Christian Church. The injunction to wives comes under the being subject to every ordinance of man ( 1 Peter 2:13 ). Christianity was to be advanced by the subjection of Christians to magistrates placed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 3:1-22

The subject of this section is the necessity for a life becoming the Christian name; this is applied to Christian citizens and to Christian servants, and, here, to Christian wives. The reason for the conspicuous place here assigned to wives is obvious. The writer is addressing Churches in pagan countries, many of whose members were wives of heathen husbands. What were these to do? were they to continue in that relationship, or did their Christianity sever the marriage bond? That question... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 3:2

While they behold (see note on 1 Peter 2:12 , where the same verb occurs) your chaste conversation coupled with fear ; literally, your chaste behavior, in fear. Bengel and others understand the fear of God. Certainly the holy fear of God is the sphere in which true Christians must always live. But the close connection with the word "chaste ( τὴν ἐν φόβῳ ἁγνὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν ), and the parallel passage, Ephesians 5:33 (in the Greek), make it probable that the fear here... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 3:1

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands - On the duty here enjoined, see the 1 Corinthians 11:3-9 notes, and Ephesians 5:22 note.That, if any obey not the word - The word of God; the gospel. That is, if any wives have husbands who are not true Christians. This would be likely to occur when the gospel was first preached, as it does now, by the fact that wives might be converted, though their husbands were not. It cannot be inferred from this, that after they themselves had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 3:2

While they behold your chaste conversation - Your pure conduct. The word chaste here (ἁγνὴν hagnēn) refer’s to purity of conduct in all respects, and not merely to chastity properly so called. It includes that, but it also embraces much more. The conduct of the wife is to be in all respects pure; and this is to be the grand instrumentality in the conversion of her husband. A wife may be strictly chaste, and yet there may be many other things in her conduct and temper which would mar the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Peter 3:1-2

1 Peter 3:1-2. Likewise As I have exhorted servants to be in subjection to their masters, I in like manner say, Ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands In all things just and lawful; that if any (he speaks tenderly) obey not the word Disbelieve and reject the gospel; they also may, without the word Though they neglect or reject that means of grace; be won by the conversation The good behaviour of the wives That is, be gained over to Christ. “Here St. Peter wisely... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 3:1-12

In the home and the church (3:1-12)Another sphere where Christians should display the character of Christ is the home. Wives can display a Christlike character through an attitude of submission to their husbands, even though the husbands may be unbelievers. By the wives’ good conduct and quiet spirit, the husbands may be won for God (3:1-4). Some women of Old Testament times, in particular Sarah, are good examples of a wife’s conduct (5-6).Christian husbands should not act thoughtlessly or... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Peter 3:1

be in subjection = submit, as 1 Peter 2:13 . husbands . App-123 . that = in order that. Greek. hina. if . App-118 . any . Plural of tis . App-123 . obey not = are disobedient to. Greek. apeitheo. See 1 Peter 2:7 . word . App-121 . also . Read as "even", before "if", "even if". won = gained. Greek. kerdaino. See Acts 27:21 . Compare Matthew 18:15 . by = through. App-104 . 1 Peter 3:1 . conversation . See 1 Peter 1:15 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Peter 3:2

While, &c . = Having beheld. App-133 . chaste . Greek. hagnos. See 2 Corinthians 7:11 . coupled with = in. App-104 . fear . Here used in the sense of reverence. Compare Ephesians 5:33 , where the verb is used. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Peter 3:1

The apostle in this chapter continued giving instructions to classes or groups of people: (1) to wives (1 Peter 3:1-6); (2) to husbands; (3) to the community of Christians as a whole; and then, perhaps with the looming terror of the Neronian persecution in mind, he spoke of the blessedness of suffering for righteousness sake (1 Peter 3:13-22).In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if they obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior... read more

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