1 PETER 3

LIVE IN HUMILITY + LOVE AS A RESPONSE TO SALVATION 

Peter encourages the wives of husbands who do not believe to serve as examples of respect and purity. Instead of impressing others with fancy clothing or jewelry, they are to lead beautiful lives that respect and honor God. Because believers have the Holy Spirit within them, they are able to live in a way that is different from others and glorifies God.

Similarly, Peter urges husbands to love their wives and honor them. Peter refers to wives here as the “weaker vessel” which may sound offensive, but ultimately Peter is teaching husbands to treat women with gentleness and care.

Peter desires for believers to live in humility, possessing unity with one another, and showing tender-heartedness. Peter writes that living in righteousness will always be better than attempting to get revenge. If believers have a clear conscience, those who persecute them will ultimately be put to shame. Peter teaches that although there is a cost for following Jesus, there is a far greater cost associated with not following Jesus. When believers are persecuted for their faith, they can trust that the outcome is still better than pursuing evil.

Peter remembers Noah, who God preserved from the flood (Genesis 7). Just like God’s provision for Noah, God has provided for all people through Jesus. Peter teaches that baptism, an expression of faith in Jesus, is the sacred symbol for accepting God’s provision. Just as God saved Noah, Jesus offers salvation for believers.

1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit . . .