Keraia
1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:1

Wives and Husbands · 1 Peter 3:1–7
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Translations

Modern
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
Traditional
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;
Literal
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if any are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without word by the conduct of the wives,
Latin
Similiter et mulieres subditæ sint viris suis: ut etsi qui non credunt verbo, per mulierem conversationem sine verbo lucrifiant:

Original

Greek
English
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives

Notes

1 Peter 3:1

  • Submit yourselves to: Wives are instructed to recognize that God has appointed the husband as head of the relationship (see 2:13; Ephesians 5:22–25). In the ancient world, submission often meant obedience (see 1 Peter 3:6). God also intends the husband to lead in a loving and respectful way (3:7; see Ephesians 5:25–30). Peter focuses especially on wives whose husbands do not believe in Christ and who may oppose their wives’ faith.

  • without words: Peter encourages Christian wives to influence their husbands through respectful and appropriate behavior.

1 Peter 3:1–7

The last of Peter’s three teachings about accepting authority speaks to wives and husbands (2:13–3:7; compare Ephesians 5:21–33; Colossians 3:18–19).

1 Peter 2:13–3:7

This section focuses on the key instruction to submit to all human authority. Peter applies this instruction to several relationships:

  • Christians should accept the authority of those in government (2:13–17).

  • Christian slaves should accept the authority of their masters (2:18–25).

  • Christian wives should accept the authority of their husbands (3:1–6).

Peter appears to follow an early Christian use of the traditional household code. This code gave a series of instructions for different members of a household. Similar examples appear in Ephesians 5:21–6:9, Colossians 3:18–4:1, 1 Timothy 5:1–6:2, and Titus 2:1–10.

Parallels

Song of Solomon 1:1–17 Ephesians 5:22–33

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Descent into Hell Family Life and Relations Letter to the Ephesians Obedience Peter, First Letter of

Topics

All Christians should be As Missionaries: Women and Children As Well As Men Being a Good Wife Being Unequally Yoked Chastity: Advantages of Christian Conduct: Fulfilling Domestic Duties Disobedient Wives Emotional Abuse Family: Government of Getting Married Godly Woman Honoring your Husband Influence: Good Nagging Wife Pleasing your Husband Righteousness: Fruits of Submitting to your Husband The Marriage Bed The Role of the Older Woman The Virtuous Woman Unfaithfulness Unhappy Marriages Unsaved Husbands Wife: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Winning Souls for Christ Wives: Duties of, to Their Husbands: To be Subject to Them Wives: Good: Duty of, to Unbelieving Husbands