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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Pe_3:1-6
1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3Your adornment must not be merely external braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
1Pe_3:1 "In the same way" This points back to his admonition to the Christian citizens (cf. 1Pe_2:13) and Christian slaves (cf. 1Pe_2:18).
▣ "you wives, be submissive" This is a present middle participle like 1Pe_2:18. This is a military term which means "to arrange oneself under authority" (cf. Eph_5:21-33; Col_3:18-19; Tit_2:4-5). This entire chapter is related to Peter's discussion of "submission" of believers to government (1Pe_2:13-17) and believing slaves to their masters (1Pe_2:18-20). Submission is not a negative term; it describes Jesus Himself. He was submissive to His earthly parents. He was submissive to His heavenly Father.
▣ "in order that" This is a purpose (hina) clause, which states the theological purpose for a wife's submission. It is always for evangelism! Believers are to model daily the Kingdom of God (cf. the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7).
▣ "if" This is a first class conditional which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes. This context is discussing unbelieving husbands. In the first century many mixed families were prevalent because one of the partners became a believer. This is not a biblical proof-text for marrying a non-believer!
▣ "any of them are disobedient" This is a present active indicative, which implies continual action. As biblical faith is an ongoing experience, so too, is unbelief!
▣ "to the word" In 1 Peter "the word" (i.e., logos) is a metaphor for Apostolic preaching of the gospel. Believers are born again by the word (cf. 1Pe_1:23). They are to desire the spiritual or sincere milk of the word (i.e., logikos, cf. 1Pe_2:2).
▣ "won" This is a future passive indicative. This term means "to profit." It is used of salvation in 1Co_9:19-22. The natural goal of a believing wife is the salvation of her family. This should be the goal of all believers.
▣ "without a word" Her life of faith will speak louder and clearer than words! However, at some point words are needed to communicate the gospel message!
▣ "by the behavior" Our lifestyle often shouts louder than our words.
1Pe_3:2 "observe" This term was used of eyewitnesses. Peter used it three times in his letters (cf. 1Pe_2:12; 1Pe_3:2; 2Pe_1:16). Believers' lives are on display. Although it is a cliche it is true that believers' lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. Believers' lives are the only Jesus some people will ever know. What an awesome responsibility.
NASB "your chaste and respectful behavior"
NKJV "your chaste conduct accompanied by fear"
NRSV "the purity and reverence of your lives"
TEV "pure and reverent your conduct is"
NJB "the reverence and purity of your way of life"
Peter has used the term "fear," understood as respect earlier, in 1Pe_1:17; 1Pe_2:18 (cf. Act_9:3; Act_10:2; Rom_3:18; Rom_13:7; Eph_5:33; Rev_11:18). Believers live selfless, godly, culturally acceptable lives for the purpose of Kingdom witness and evangelism.
The term "chaste" (agnos) is translated in several ways (pure, chaste, modest, innocent, blameless). It is used of women in 2Co_11:2; Tit_2:5; and here.
1Pe_3:3 "Your adornment must not be merely external" This is an emphasis on the inner qualities of a believer, not a prohibition against all cultural adornment. External cultural adornment can become a problem if it becomes ultimate and prideful and characterizes an evil heart (cf. Isa_3:18-24). How one dresses is a window into the heart (cf. 1Pe_3:4).
The term "adornment" is a unique usage of the term, kosmos (the verb form in 1Pe_3:5). This usage is where we get the English word "cosmetic."
▣ "braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses" All of these refer to the expensive and elaborate hair and clothing fashions of the women in Greco-Roman first century. Believers must not desire or emulate this lust for social acceptance and social ranking based on outward ornaments. This does not imply we should wear rags, but that believers should dress in ways which are socially acceptable to their particular culture and time, but do not draw undue attention to themselves.
1Pe_3:4 "the hidden person of the heart" This refers to the new person after salvation. The New covenant has given a new heart and spirit (cf. Eze_36:22-38). For "heart" see Special Topic at Mar_2:6.
▣ "the imperishable quality" Peter has used this term of (1) God's imperishable inheritance, which He guards for believers in heaven (i.e., 1Pe_1:4) and (2) of believers being born again of imperishable seed (i.e., 1Pe_1:23).
Paul uses this same term of our new resurrection bodies in 1 Corinthians 15. and of believers' incorruptible crown in 1Co_9:25.
▣ "gentle and quiet spirit" The first term praus (meek, gentle) describes Jesus in Mat_11:29; Mat_21:5 and is to characterize believers in the beatitudes (cf. Mat_5:5). It is also used in 1Pe_3:15 to characterize a believer's witness.
The second term, hçsuchios or hçsuchia, is used several times in Paul's writings to describe believers as quiet, tranquil, peaceful, or restful (cf. 1Th_4:11; 2Th_3:12; 1Ti_2:2; 1Ti_2:11-12).
There is an implied contrast between the changing styles of the world (cf. 1Pe_3:3) and the settled character of a redeemed life (cf. 1Pe_3:4).
1Pe_3:5 "being submissive" This is the general theme of this entire context (believers submit to civil authority, 1Pe_2:13-17; believing slaves submit to masters, 1Pe_2:18-20; Christ submits to the Father's plan, 1Pe_2:21-25; believing wives submit to husbands, 1Pe_3:1-6). It is an observable reorientation from the Fall of Genesis 3. Believers no longer live for themselves, but for God.
1Pe_3:6 "Sarah. . .calling him Lord" This is an OT example (i.e., Gen_18:12) of a godly woman's submission.
▣ "you become her children" Old Testament saints are often used to encourage believers (cf. Hebrews 11). They are also used to show that believers are fully accepted by God by faith in Christ (cf. Rom_2:28-29; Rom_4:11; Gal_3:7; Gal_3:9). We are of the faith family of Abraham and Sarah. We are the new people of God. The new Israel of faith (cf. Gal_6:16; 1Pe_2:5; 1Pe_2:9).
▣ "if you do what is right" See note at 1Pe_2:14. The conditional element ( "if") expressed in the English translation (NASB, NKJV, TEV) is not in the Greek text, but is implied. The life of faith has observable characteristics.
▣ "without being frightened by any fear" This is another characteristic of the life of faith (cf. 1Pe_3:6; 1Pe_3:14). This may be an allusion to Pro_3:25 and the truth of Psa_23:4; Psa_27:1; and Psa_91:5.