1 Peter 3

This is the third of the five chapters of 1 Peter. The latter part of 1 Peter 2 exhorts believers to submit to kings and masters and presents the example of the suffering Christ. This chapter continues that exhortation with the word "Likewise" (v. 1) and extends it to wives, husbands, and all believers.

Outline

• Verses 1–6 Wives are exhorted to be in subjection to their husbands, so that even husbands who do not obey the word may be won "without the word" by their wives' conduct. Rather than relying on outward adornment, wives are to be adorned with "a meek and quiet spirit," and Sarah, who called Abraham "lord," is given as an example.
• Verse 7 Husbands are told to give honor to their wives as "the weaker vessel" and as "heirs together of the grace of life."
• Verses 8–12 All believers are urged to be of one mind and humble, and not to render evil for evil but to bless instead. Verses 10–12 quote Psalm 34.
• Verses 13–17 Those who suffer for righteousness' sake are called blessed. Believers are urged to be ready to answer anyone who asks the reason for their hope and to keep a good conscience.
• Verses 18–22 Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, and by the Spirit preached unto the spirits in prison. The saving of eight souls by water in the ark in the days of Noah is connected with baptism. The chapter closes by stating that Christ has gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God.

Key Verses

• 1 Peter 3:9 "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing" — an exhortation that echoes Jesus' teaching on love of enemies.
• 1 Peter 3:15 "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" — because the Greek word translated "answer" is apologia (defense), this verse is cited as a classic text for apologetics, the discipline of rationally explaining and defending the faith.
• 1 Peter 3:18 "The just for the unjust" — a concise summary of Christ's substitutionary death, that is, the atonement.

People and Places

• Sarah: The wife of Abraham, cited as an example of the holy women of old.
• Abraham: The forefather of the people of Israel.
• Noah: The man who built the ark and was saved from the flood together with his family (the Flood).

Points for Reflection

• Verses 1–7: These verses take the form of a first-century household code and resemble Ephesians 5:21–25 and Colossians 3:18–19. Some (complementarians) regard the distinction of roles between men and women as an order to be maintained today. Others (egalitarians) regard these instructions as missional counsel given within the culture of the time and emphasize the phrase "heirs together" in verse 7. This difference is connected to the debate over the ordination of women.
• Verses 19–20: Interpretations of these verses vary widely. The main views are as follows:
• Christ descended to Hades between his death and resurrection and made a proclamation there.
• In the days of Noah, the Spirit of Christ preached through Noah. Many commentators since Augustine have followed this view.
• At his resurrection and ascension, Christ proclaimed his victory to fallen spirits.

These verses are read together with 1 Peter 4:6 and 2 Peter 2:4–5. The text does not say that the dead are given a second chance at salvation. The phrase "He descended into hell" in the Latin Apostles' Creed is not included in the version of the Apostles' Creed used by Korean Protestants.

• Verse 21: Denominations differ in how they read the statement that baptism, as a "like figure," "doth also now save us" (baptism).
• Lutherans and others read it as grounds for holding that grace is actually conferred through baptism.
• Reformed churches, including Presbyterians, understand baptism as a sign and seal of grace.
• Baptists read it as describing a sign received in obedience by those who have professed faith.

The text adds that baptism is "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God."

In the Korean Church

Verses 1–7 are frequently read together with Ephesians 5 at wedding services and in sermons on the family. Verse 15 is often cited in sermons and evangelism training on explaining and sharing the faith.