1 Peter 3
(1) Wives Should Elevate their Husbands
Similarly, you wives should rank yourselves beneath your husbands. That way, even if your husbands don’t comply with the philosophy, they might be won over by your actions as they notice your pure and respectful conduct. You shouldn’t just strive to make yourself outwardly beauty with hairstyles, jewelry, and dresses—but strive to make your heart inwardly beautiful with things that last (like a gentle and peaceful spirit, which God treasures). Long ago, the women who were expectant of God used to beautify themselves that same way, ranking themselves beneath their husbands. Sarah submitted herself to Abraham, calling him ‘Sir.’ And you have become her daughters if you help others without being scared of anything.
(7) Husbands Should Value their Wives
Similarly, you husbands should try to understand your wives, pursuing them with questions, like you would with someone who was more delicate and fragile, since she’s a woman. Ascribe value and honor to her since she’s a fellow inheritor of life and gracefulness. If you don’t, your prayers will be hindered.
(8) Do Good Instead of Harm
To summarize, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, having a brotherly love for each other. Have tender hearts, and be friendly. Don’t repay harm with harm or insult for insult—repay insults with blessings instead, since you yourselves were called to inherit a blessing. After all,
“If you want to experience life, love, and good times, then you’ll need to refrain from saying things that are harmful and deceptive. You’ll need to turn away from things that are harmful, and do what’s right. You’ll need to be on the lookout for peace and pursue it. The Existing One has His eye on the upright, and His ears listen for their pleas, but He opposes people who cause harm.”
—Psalm 34:12–14
(13) Spiritual Glory Outweighs Physical Suffering
And who would ever give you a hard time for being passionate about good things? But even if you have to suffer for what’s right, you’ll be blessed. Don’t be afraid of their threats, and don’t let them stress you out. Instead, designate the Chosen One as the ruler of your heart. When people ask, always be ready to give a gentle and respectful explanation for why you’re so hopeful. Keep a clear conscience so that when people bad-mouth you, they’ll be put to shame by your good conduct in Jesus. If God wants you to suffer for doing what’s right, then that will be better than suffering for doing what’s wrong. Jesus died for the shortcomings of good people and bad people alike so that He might lead us both to God. On a fleshly level, Jesus put us to death—but on a spiritual level, He made us alive. It was on spiritual level that Jesus visited the spirits who are now in prison for their disobedience long ago when God was patiently waiting for Noah to build the boat. That boat allowed 8 people to make it safely through the water,* and in the same way, baptism now rescues you through Jesus’s resurrection—not because baptism removes the filth from your flesh, but because it’s a request to God for a clear conscience. And now that Jesus is in heaven, He’s at God’s right hand, with all the angels, authorities, and powers subjected to His authority.
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