1 Peter 3:1-6

 

1 Pet 3:1 (KJB)
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;
 
Subjection - Be subject to or submit
Obey not - disobedient
Be won - To be gained
Conversation - Conduct
 
Peter now switches to the family scene where he goes from speaking about a servant’s duty to the duties of the wife. God has an order of authority in the home as well as in other institutions as in the church. Peter states that wives must be in subjection to their husbands so if the husband is an unbeliever, and he forbids his wife to “preach to him” then there is a possibility that he may be gained or gain salvation through her conduct. When the husband sees that there is something different about his wife, he may choose to inquire about her salvation and then if God is drawing him, he will become saved and then the marriage will be total light rather than one light and one in darkness. A note of caution here that this verse must never be misused in thinking that if a Christian marries an unbeliever, then if they behave themselves then God will save them. The Bible is very clear that a Christian must marry a Christian and not hope the other will become saved in marriage. The fact that a Christian is even considering dating an unbeliever shows a rebellious streak in them.
 
1 Pet 3:2 (KJB)
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
 
Behold - Having witnessed
Chaste - Pure or holy
Conversation - Conduct
 
The husband will be unable to disregard the holy conduct lived by the wife and this will further cause them to hopefully look into their salvation. While the chaste conduct of any person is not a guarantee of another’s salvation, it can be a cudgel to give more attention to that person’s life and the reason for living the life that they do. It is the same with our witness out in the world, if we live like the world, then we can expect to be rebuffed for even trying to bring a witness, but if we live chaste lives, then the world will have to sit up and take notice that there is something definitely different. A personal note - some years ago a woman at a place I worked asked me why I always seemed to be so jovial on the job especially when the job got tough. I told her that it was the Lord Jesus Christ and after I told her that she walked away. Like I stated in the last verse, our lives may not bring someone to Christ but you never know who God is drawing and watching you at the same time.
 
1 Pet 3:3 (KJB)
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
 
Adorning - Ornament
Plaiting - Braiding
 
Here Peter is stating that the outward appearance of the women should not be the focus of their life. He would not be intimating that a woman should not look her best but her beauty is not the focus. It is interesting that the word “adorning” is the word “kosmos” in the Greek which has to do with the world. So Peter is stating that worldly adornments or jewelry or the fanciest clothes does not make up the essence of the Christian woman.
 
1 Pet 3:4 (KJB)
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.
 
Hidden -Secret or concealed
Not corruptible - Incorruptible
Meek - Gentle
Quiet - Tranquil or peaceable
Of great price - Very precious and costly
 
Instead of focusing on the outward appearance as Peter states in the previous verse, he is stating that the true beauty of the Christian woman is found in the hidden or secret of the heart. This is speaking about the woman’s salvation. When she receives her new resurrected soul with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, then her soul is incorruptible. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces a peaceful and tranquil spirit within her and God deems these tenets of salvation as very costly and precious because that salvation cost His Son His life upon Calvary. Salvation was not cheap and the wives must never try to replace the peaceful inward salvation with the fixing up of the flesh, which is corruptible. No one can hold their youth forever, just look around, the evidence is everywhere but the true Christian who continues to grow in the faith everyday renew themselves. (2 Cor 4:16 KJV) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. Believe me, every day we look in the mirror we can see the outward man perish just a little more.
 
1 Pet 3:5 (KJB)
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:
 
Verse 5 continues the thought from verse 4 as the Bible here states that the holy women of old did that very thing. Notice the qualifier in this verse, “who trusted in God.” This is because there was no trust in their beauty but in God alone. These women adorned themselves, not with the outward appearances but with the inward working of the new man. Women like Ruth, Hannah, Abigail and others had the inward testimony of salvation. They were in subjection unto their own husbands because of the testimony of God within them. If a wife is not subject to her husband then the testimony of their salvation will be greatly shielded from sight and no one will ever know they are saved. Therefore, when a wife is subject to her husband, then her light will shine.
 
1 Pet 3:6 (KJB)
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.
 
Afraid - Fearing
Amazement - Intimidation or fear-paralysis
 
Peter gives an example of a fine Christian woman and that is Sarah. She obeyed Abraham and even called him lord, which was a sign of respect on her part. Then Peter goes on to state that if a Christian woman has the same spirit of reverencing her husband, then this would be an evidence of her salvation which here is called a daughter of Sarah. They are to continue in their Christian testimony and not to be deterred from that walk by any fear or intimidation whether it is from the world or even from their own husbands. The fear of the world must never be a factor in us not walking in the light of the Lord.

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