1 Peter - Chapter 3
Verses 1-6
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
Commentary
Verses 1-6
Notice that Peter addresses the wives in this section. He talks about their behavior and their beauty. He gives an Old Testament example.
Verse 7
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Commentary
Verse 7
Notice that Peter addresses the husbands in this verse. His exhortation covers a shorter space than for the women. However, he tells the husbands what they are to do and why they should do it.
Verses 8-17; Suffering for Doing Good
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Commentary
Verses 8-9
Peter gives the responsibilities for all to follow. He gives all his listeners a list of things to do and a list of things not to do.
Verse 10-12
Notice these verses are written in poetry.
Verses 13-17
Peter continues his exhortation for all. He begins this section with a rhetorical question.
Verses 18-22
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him.
Commentary
Verse 18
Peter describes a fourfold ministry accomplished by the Savior.
---1. Jesus' death
---2. His journey to the spirit world
---3. Jesus' resurrection
---4. Jesus' ascension
He talks about the permanence and the purpose of Jesus' death.
Verses 19-20
Notice Peter explains Jesus' journey to the spirit world. Notice the Old Testament person Peter mentions.
Verse 21
Pay attention to what Peter says about Jesus' resurrection and water baptism.
Verse 22
This last verse lets us know about Jesus' ascension and where He is today.
|
|
