1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. Believers were admonished to submit themselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake in chapter 2. Here honoring the ordinance of God- marriage, wives are called to submit to their husbands, even unbelieving ones. You may think that the Lord does not understand your situation, based on the passion of Christ, He does. After the creation of woman, "The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." (Gen 2:23-24) “There are few experiences more difficult than to be united in marriage to an unbeliever. The Christian young man or young woman should never go voluntarily into such a union. 'Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers … and what communion hath light with darkness? … or what part hath he that believeth with an unbeliever' (2 Cor. 6:14-15). But where one member of a family already formed is brought to know the Lord while the other remains in the darkness of nature, the most serious misunderstandings and perplexing circumstances are apt to arise." (H. A. Ironside Notes) "Wives, likewise," as servants to masters, “be submissive to your own husbands," to his "lawful commands and restraints (according to the Hebrew Torah). It is too much that Plutarch lays as a law of wedlock on the wife, to acknowledge and worship the same gods, and none else but those whom her husband doth. Serena the empress suffered martyrdom under her cruel husband Diocletian; and Elizabeth, wife of Joachimus, the Prince Elector of Brandenburg, was forced to flee to the court of Saxony, A. D 1527, from the perpetual imprisonment provided for her by her Popish husband (for receiving the sacrament of the Lord’s supper in both kinds), and died in banishment. (Luther in Epistol.) "that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives"- "prepared for conversion..." (Trapp) 'when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.'" "It may seem strange that Peter should say, that a husband might be gained to the Lord without the word; for why is it said, that 'faith cometh by hearing?' Romans 10:17. To this I reply, that Peter’s words are not to be so understood as though a holy life alone could lead the unbelieving to Christ, but that it softens and pacifies their minds, so that they might have less dislike to religion; for as bad examples create offenses, so good ones afford no small help." (John Calvin) "Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (3-4) Instead of outward adornments visible to man, let it consist in the inward spiritual state of the heart, invisible to sense, which alone God regards. 1 Samuel 16:7. ..." (Justin Edwards) "'For in this manner,' namely, with inward holiness and outward plainness; 'in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves,.. and therefore did not act properly from servile fear, but from true piety, and are consequently worthy to be imitated. (Coke) — "even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him lord (Genesis 12:5; Genesis 18:6) "— "not merely in compliment, but in reality, hereby acknowledging his authority and her own subjection.— 'whose daughters you are';... spiritually, according to the promise.— 'as long as you do well'; follow her in good works, 1 Timothy 2:10." (Matthew Poole) 'and are not afraid with any amazement'; letting "the fear of this ‘intimidation’ [by an unholy husband] replace the fear of the Lord in their lives. Then you will be true children of Abraham. This fits the context and explains why Peter does not feel that he has to add further background in order to explain what other kind of intimidation he might have in mind." (Peter Pett) 7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. "To the husbands there is also a word of serious admonition. Let them give all due honor to the wife, not trying to lord it over her conscience, but recognizing her physical limitations as the weaker vessel; let them be the more considerate, dwelling with her according to knowledge and as being heirs together of the grace of life; and the Spirit adds what is most important: 'That your prayers be not hindered.' Quarrels and bickerings in the home stifle all fellowship in prayer. It means much for the husband and wife to be able to kneel together in hallowed communion and mingle their voices in prayer and intercession." (H. A. Ironside)
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For He who would love life and see good days, let him “refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.” 11 Let him “turn away from evil and do good”; let him “seek peace and pursue it.” 12 For “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers”; but “the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [Psalm 34:12–16] Paul had just admonished servants, yea all Christians, to fear of God, rather than their fellows. King David was one of a kind— a servant king, like unto Jesus, having been misunderstood and thus persecuted for righteousness sake. Thus, Peter calls on his example: Do seek evil for others who seek to harm you, but rather blessing. “‘Finally, all of you be of one mind having compassion for one another’— feeling for each other; bearing each other's burdens; be lovers of the brethren; pitiful —tender-hearted; let your bowels yearn over the distressed and afflicted; ‘be courteous not rendering evil for evil or reviling for reviling’ but purposing, saying, doing nothing but good; and invariably returning good for evil… This is your calling - your business in life, to do good, and to do good for evil, and to implore God's blessing even on your worst enemies. And this is not only your duty, but your interest; for in so doing you shall obtain God's blessing, even life for evermore.” (Adam Clarke) For “he that will love life.” etc. — “The quotation by Peter [from David in Psalm 34:12-16] throughout the passage is taken from the Septuagint, excepting that there is a change of the person from the second to the third: in the psalm, e. g., ‘refrain thy tongue from evil’, etc.; in the quotation, ‘let him refrain his tongue from evil,’etc. For He who would love life and see good days— ‘good days’ are prosperous days; happy days; days of usefulness; days in which we may be respected and loved.” (Albert Barnes) “It is instructive now to turn and see the circumstances in which this lovely Psalm was composed. The moment was one of David’s extremest peril among an infuriated heathen population. The danger and dread he was in are shown in Psalms 56.” (C. J. Ellicott) Psalm 56 – Prayer for Relief from Tormentors — 1 Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; 2 fighting all day he oppresses me. 2 My enemies would hound me all day, for there are many who fight against me, O Most High. 3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; i will not fear. What can flesh do to me? 5 All day they twist my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather together, they hide, they mark my steps, when they lie in wait for my life. 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God! 8 You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? 9 When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me. 10 In God (I will praise His word), in the LORD (I will praise His word),11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? We see David’s inner beauty in Psalm 34, which begins: “Oh, fear Yahweh, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Yahweh. (Psalm 34:9-11) “David, of course, is not promising luxuries; rather, he is promising satisfaction, even fulfillment, in life. When you walk with the Lord, your life has purpose, direction, meaning. No, you may not be rich in a worldly sense, but you will ‘lack no good thing’. This is set in contrast to ‘the lions’, who ‘may grow weak and hungry’. For some reason, we envy the strong predator, without realizing that preying upon others is a miserable, unloved existence.” (Spurgeon) “Let him ‘refrain his tongue from evil’ -... let him lead an upright and pious life; doing evil to no one, but seeking the good of all men. To refrain the tongue from evil, is to avoid all slander, falsehood; obscenity, and profaneness, and to abstain from uttering erroneous and false opinions. Compare James 1:26; James 3:2.— ‘and his lips from speaking deceit’— no deceit; nothing that will lead others astray. The words should be an exact representation of the truth…Let him ‘eschew evil’ - Let him avoid all evil. Compare Job 1:1. ‘and do good — in any and every way; by endeavoring to promote the happiness of all…Let him seek peace, and ensue it - follow it; that is, practice it. See Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18.” (Albert Barnes) Righteousness acts will lead to eternal life. For “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers”; (Psalm 34:15) “It ought to be a consolation to us, sufficient to mitigate all evils, that we are looked upon by the Lord, so that He will bring us help in due time. The meaning then is, that the prosperity which he has mentioned depends on the protection of God; for were not the Lord to care for His people, they would be like sheep exposed to wolves. And that we for little reason raise a clamor, that we suddenly kindle unto wrath, that we burn with the passion of revenge, all this, doubtless, happens, because we do not consider that God cares for us, and because we do not acquiesce in His aid.” (John Calvin) "But 'the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.' (Psalm 34:16; 1 Peter 3:8) He marks what they are doing. This is sufficient comfort when men injure us (1 Peter 2:23); sufficient warning not to injure in return.” Rather than retaliating, Peter bids all Christians “read that Psalm into an act of faith in Jesus.” (C. J. Ellicott) Replace Yahweh with Yeshua. “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:9-10)
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. “This difficult and much misunderstood passage demands a closer attention. It is the passage upon which Rome has built her obnoxious and unscriptural doctrine of a purgatory. Protestant expositors have also misinterpreted this passage; in some quarters of Protestantism a kind of a ‘Protestant purgatory’ is now being taught. Many errors, like a second probation, another chance for the lost, the restitution of the wicked, are linked with the wrong exposition of the above words.” (Albert Barnes) We are called to suffer for righteousness sake “for Christ also suffered once for sin, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive (zōopoiētheis) in the Spirit,” (18) The King James Version variously translates “zōopoiētheis” as “make alive, give life, quicken. “The first clause is clear enough being a reference to the crucifixion of our Lord; but there is a wide disagreement among scholars as to the meaning of ‘made alive in the Spirit.’” (Coffman) “It is amazing that some read this as if it meant ‘kept alive,’ or ‘continued alive’; whereas the true meaning of the words, as in the text, is ‘made alive or resurrected!’... 'In the New Testament, these words are never used in the sense of maintained alive, or preserved alive.'" (Barnes) It speaks of Jesus’s resurrection and thus the Spirit’s ability to give life, ultimately raising the dead. “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life (zōopoiei), so also the Son gives life (zōopoiei) to those he chooses.” (John 5:21) “It is the Spirit who gives life(zōopoioun); the flesh is useless..” (John 6:63a) “As it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations.’ (Gen. 17:5) He is our father, in the presence of God in whom he believed, the God who gives life (zōopoiountos) to the dead and calls into being the things that do not exist.” (Romans 4:17) “But if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life (zōopoiēsei) to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11) ”For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive (zōopoiēthēsontai).” (1 Corinthians 15:22) “You fool! What you sow does not come to life (zōopoieitai) unless it dies.” (1 Corinthians 15:36) “So also it is written, the first man, Adam, ‘became a living soul.’ (Gen. 2:7)The last Adam became a life-giving (zōopoioun) spirit.” (1 Corinthians 15:45) “…who indeed made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, based not on the letter but on the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit imparts life (zōopoiei).” (2 Corinthians 3:6) “Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life (zōopoiēsai), then righteousness would indeed be by the law.” (Galatians 3:21) The good new of the Gospel is not that Jesus never died or was kept alive by the Spirit. It is—> “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” (1 Cor. 15:3-8) “by whom” - that Spirit – “also He went and preached...” etc. “Commentators with a theory to uphold make a big thing out of the ‘went’, encountering innumerable difficulties when they suppose that he went ‘while dead and buried’! As a matter of fact, ‘He went and preached’ is just a Biblical way of saying He preached. ‘Such expressions (‘He went’) are often redundant in Greek.’ (Barnes) “Speaking of the preaching of the apostles themselves, Paul said that Christ ‘came and preached peace to you that were afar off’ (Ephesians 2:17); but Christ preached to the Ephesians through human instruments, nevertheless it is said that he ‘came and preached’ to them. Therefore, ‘If Christ is said by Paul to go and do, what he did by his apostles, Christ may with equal propriety be said by Peter to go and do what he did by Noah.’ (Macknight)” (Coffman Commentary) “It is written: ‘My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years’ (Gen. 6:3). His Spirit was then on the earth. In long-suffering God was waiting for one hundred and twenty years while the ark was preparing. His Spirit preached then. But He needed an instrument. The instrument was Noah; in him was the Spirit of Christ and as the preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) he delivered the warning message of an impending judgment to those about him, who did not heed the message, passed on in disobedience, were swept away by the deluge… As the Spirit of Christ was in the prophets (1 Peter 1:11) testifying beforehand of the suffering of Christ and the glory that should follow, so the Spirit of Christ preached through Noah. This is the meaning of this passage, and any other is faulty and unscriptural. This interpretation is in full keeping with Peter’s testimony. It is to ‘strengthen his brethren,’ to encourage and comfort those who were suffering persecution and passed through many fiery trials. They thought it strange that they had to suffer, that they were few in number who were saved, while they lived in the midst of the vast multitudes which rejected the gospel and live on in sin and disobedience. For this reason the Spirit of God reminds them that such was also the case in the days of Noah, as it will be again at the close of the age, as the Lord Himself had announced.” (Arno Gaebelein) He preached “’to the spirits in prison.” — "The whole antediluvian world to whom the preaching was directed were said by Peter in this passage to have been ‘in prison’ at the time of the preaching of Noah. If that is what he meant, then the figure harmonizes perfectly with Jesus' preaching to the citizens of Nazareth and others of that generation, referring to his message as ‘a proclamation of release to the captives,’ that is, the captives in sin (Luke 4:18)…— ‘who formerly (aforetime) were disobedient’— ’Aforetime’ flies like a banner over the whole passage; those souls Peter identified as ‘spirits in prison’ when he wrote were living souls generations earlier in the time of Noah. In the time of Noah they were disobedient; in the time of Noah, Christ preached to them; in the time of Noah, most of them rejected salvation; in the time of Noah ‘few’ were saved.— ‘when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah.’ etc.—This is a further elaboration of the ‘aforetime,’ just mentioned. That ‘aforetime’ was ‘when’ the longsuffering of God waited. In the days of Noah ...This is another phrase pertaining to the ‘aforetime’; it was in the days of Noah.— ‘while the ark was a preparing’— ...This is still another clause pertaining to the ‘aforetime’; therefore, there is really no excuse for construing the events of these verses as things that happened during that three days and nights Jesus was in the tomb. Furthermore, the ‘aforementioned’ time is the only time specified in the whole paragraph.” (Coffman Commentary) “in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.” (19-20) ... and only eight ever will be. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. Water baptism is that antitype which saves us. “This simple statement of truth should upset no one, for Christ himself said, ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved’ (Mark 16:16)... 'Not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God'— Did he mean that Christians before they are baptized have already received a good conscience and that their baptism is only the response that a good conscience gives; or did he mean that in order to receive a good conscience one must be baptized? It is the conviction of a lifetime, on the part of this writer, that it is the latter meaning which is true. No man, as long as he has not obeyed the divine commandment to be baptized, can ever have, even if he should live 200 years, a good conscience as long as he is un-baptized. Therefore, full agreement is felt with Nicholson's endorsement of the New American Standard Bible's rendition thus: 'And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience.'"( Burton Coffman) "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him." (21b-22)