3:1 be subject The Greek verb used here, hypotassō, is also used in Eph 5:21 and Eph 5:24 for the submission of believers to one another and wives to husbands; husbands are encouraged to truly love their wives. See note on 1 Cor 14:34; see also note on 1 Tim 2:11. Compare Eph 5:21 and note.

they may be won over Peter doesn’t encourage wives to adopt submissive attitudes so that their husbands can rule over them; rather, he hopes they will exemplify Christ’s character and serve as witnesses to Christ Himself. Their example could lead their unbelieving husbands to faith in Christ. See 1 Cor 11:3 and note; Eph 5:22 and note; Col 3:18 and note.

3:3 your adornment not be the external kind The women in Peter’s audience are urged not to depend on outward aids for beauty. Peter selects three ways of displaying wealth or sexuality to argue that external displays are not what matters; instead, inward beauty is what truly matters, as displayed by a life lived for Christ.

3:4 the hidden person of the heart Peter elevates inner beauty above external appearance. The writings of ancient philosophers and Jewish sages also do this.

3:6 lord Here Peter uses the word kyrios, which often serves as a polite form of address, like “sir” (compare Gen 18:12). Peter seems to be respecting the culture of the ancient world, in which the husband of the home was usually proprietor (business owner)—as someone over servants, property, and livestock—and in charge of the family.

3:7 in the same way Husbands should also be people who reflect Christ’s character (see 1 Pet 3:1 and note). Peter emphasizes that they should practice consideration and love. See Eph 5:25 and note.

weaker female vessel The phrase likely refers to physical build and strength. Such a contrast was obvious in a labor-intensive culture. The context does not suggest any spiritual, intellectual, or moral inferiority since both males and females were created in the image of God (Gen 1:26–27).

Suffering

3:14 suffer for the sake of righteousness See note on 4:13.

3:15 always ready to make a defense Peter asserts that Christians should be prepared at all times to defend their faith and explain the source of their hope (compare Matt 10:19 and note).

Interpreting First Peter 3:18–22

3:18 but made alive in the spirit Jesus died a real, physical death and was raised to a new life.

3:19 proclaimed to the spirits in prison This short phrase raises several difficult issues for the interpreter: the identity of the spirits in prison (v. 19), the reasons for their imprisonment, the location of the prison where Christ went to preach, the content of Christ’s proclamation, the relationship of preaching to the “spirits” (v. 19) with preaching to those who are dead (4:6), and the possible allusions to biblical (Gen 6–9; Jude) and extrabiblical traditions (such as the Jewish work called 1 Enoch).

3:20 who were formerly disobedient The interpretation is closely connected to how the imprisoned spirits from 1 Pet 3:19 are identified. See note on v. 19; compare Gen 6:1–4 and note on Gen 6:2.

in the days of Noah See Gen 6–9.

that is, eight souls Refers to Noah, his wife, their three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), and their wives (see Gen 7:1, 6–7; compare note on 2 Pet 2:5).

3:21 baptism now saves you Noah and his family were not saved by means of water, which served as God’s agent to cleanse the earth of its evil (Gen 6:5–7). The ark was God’s means of preserving life and starting anew.

Baptism

an appeal to God for a good conscience Describes a pledge of loyalty to God.

3:22 angels and authorities and powers An all-encompassing statement implying that all things, spiritual and physical, are ultimately under the authority of Jesus (compare note on 2 Pet 3:10; Col 1:16 and note).