The Bible Says Commentary on 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:1-6 describes what harmonious marriages look like, with husbands and wives equally serving one another to mutual benefit. Wives most effectively help their husbands by having good character, a beautiful spiritual life, and speaking respectfully-all of which positively influence their husbands. Sarah the wife of Abraham is given as a positive example to imitate.

1 Peter 3:7 teaches that husbands most effectively love their wives when they seek to understand them and when they treat them with honor as an equal partner in life. Peter warns husbands if they don’t honor their wives, God will dismiss their prayers.

1 Peter 3:8-12 summarizes Peter’s exhortation for believers to live harmonious relationships. Whether toward kings, employers, or spouses, we are to treat others with love and humility. We should act to the benefit of others. It is a mistake to seek vengeance or escalate conflict by responding to evil words with evil words. Rather, we should give out blessings to others. Peter quotes a psalm to illustrate how good follows good, and evil follows evil. God is the judge. He will punish the wicked and bless those who bless others.

1 Peter 3:13-14 observes that we are likely to avoid harm if we do good, but also notes that the world is corrupt and there are times where if we do right, we will suffer at the world’s hands. We should not be afraid of unfair treatment. God will bless us in the end.

1 Peter 3:15-17 shows that by dedicating our choices in life to please Jesus, we should be prepared to explain to other people why we live in hope when we are treated unjustly. Further, we should be considerate and kind to those who ask. If we live rightly before God, anyone who mistreats us will ultimately be ashamed. Slander against a righteous person does not bear out in the end. We are guaranteed to suffer in this life, so it’s better that we suffer for living rightly rather than experiencing the adverse consequences that come from sinful choices.

1 Peter 3:18-22 references Christ as the supreme example of someone who suffered unfairly for living in obedience to God. Christ died for sins which were not His, He was a perfect person dying for sinners with the goal of bringing all who believe in Him into an everlasting relationship with God, made possible through His death and resurrection. Peter then points to Noah, who was saved by his faith in God when he obeyed God and built an ark to withstand the coming flood of judgment. Likewise, our new life in Christ delivers us from the suffering of sin. Jesus Christ is the King of All Creation, rewarded for suffering for righteousness. We too can be delivered to such a reward by imitating Him.