1 Peter 3 - Introduction

ANALYSIS.

All should know, who claim to be Christians, just how to conduct themselves in the walks of life, and in this chapter knowledge is therein imparted. Peter commenced by telling wives how they ought to conduct themselves in that relation. He even goes so far with his instruction as to include even the manner of dress. These things are of less esteem with the apostle as an adornment than a meek and quiet spirit. A proper conduct along this line will have a tendency even to win over to the cause of Christ an infidel husband. To straighten the view the apostle entertains, he cites the example of Sarah as a model wife. Husbands are also told how they should conduct themselves, and then to all Christian admonitions are given. They must be of one mind no discords, no divisions; must love one another as brethren should; must be tender-hearted and affable in the place of being unsympathetic and cross and morose; must not retaliate for what they conceive to be wrong conduct in others, but should bless them even if they are enemies; must be forgiving in temper and disposition, for God called his children that they might inherit the blessing of pardon. It is the duty of every Christian to turn away from all evil, and only do good; and it is furthermore the duty of God's children to seek peace. God's eyes are upon us all the time, and his ears open to the cry of his people. Besides, those that do right are less likely to suffer than the evil; but if the right-doers suffer for doing right, they are happy, because they do not lose reward, and ought not therefore to fear the threats of the wicked. Hence you ought to honor God, and be always ready to give answer for the hope of eternal life you have. Hold fast a good conscience by never denying your faith. It is better to suffer for the right, if God wills, than to suffer for wrong-doing. Christ himself suffered even unto death. He was raised by the Spirit. By his Spirit Christ preached to the antediluvians by Noah. The spirits of these are now in prison. They were disobedient at the time of Noah's preaching, and because of their disobedience were all destroyed by the water of the flood. The same water that destroyed them saved Noah and his family. Baptism as an antitype of the water of the flood now saves us. This baptism is not washing away of filth from flesh, but is the answer of a good conscience. In this, Christ commanded baptism, we obey, and have the assurance of our conscience to our obedience.

Verse 1. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection.

Having disposed of the duties a follower of Christ owes to earthly governments and to those entitled to service, he now turns to the domestic relation, and those who sustain the relation of wife he admonishes the recognition of submission. In this case the apostle has in his mind a woman whose spouse is an unbeliever. While subjection to a believing husband would not be such a burden to a wife, the submission to one who ignored the claims of the gospel might become irksome. A wife so situated is urged to the faithful and conscientious performance of every duty growing out of the relation, having in view the hope of the conversion of the infidel husband. And the influences that may accomplish this result are pointed out.