FocusConduct, honour, and shared grace
Connection to the wholePeter addresses marital conduct on both sides and warns husbands that failure to honour their wives affects their prayers.
interpretation 1 Peter 3:4
KJVBut let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Read it in context
Wives and husbands
Start reading at 1 Peter 3:1 (1 Peter 3:1 to 1 Peter 3:7).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Peter addresses marital conduct on both sides and warns husbands that failure to honour their wives affects their prayers.
- 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
- 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
- 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
- 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
- 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
- 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
- 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Peter the apostle is the named author. Silvanus is associated with the letter's delivery or composition in the closing statement; his precise role is not fully explained. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Peter 3:1–3:22): Peter addresses wives and husbands before turning to all the believers concerning shared conduct and suffering for doing good. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The elect strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: Christian communities facing suffering in Asia Minor. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 4:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Wives and husbands. Read 1 Peter 3:1 through 1 Peter 3:7 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Peter addresses marital conduct on both sides and warns husbands that failure to honour their wives affects their prayers. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter addresses believers facing trials and speaks of Christ's revelation as their hope. It gives no calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The opening names regions of dispersion. The greeting from Babylon should be reported as written; identifying it with another city is an interpretation. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Wives and husbands (1 Peter 3:1 to 1 Peter 3:7). Start reading at 1 Peter 3:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Christ's suffering, resurrection, and example ground the exhortation. The baptism statement in chapter 3 should be read with its own qualification and its reference to Jesus' resurrection. See 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Live faithfully and do good under pressure, entrusting judgment to God. Instructions about suffering do not make wrongdoing by those who cause it righteous. interpretation
Cited: 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 3:7, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and mentions Silvanus as the one who wrote it.
1 Peter 1:11 Peter 5:12
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Peter.
What is debatedSome critical scholars question the polished Greek, though the letter itself credits Silvanus.
Related passages
- the hidden Ps 45:13 Ps 51:6 Matt 23:26 Luke 11:40 Rom 2:29 Rom 6:6 Rom 7:22 2 Cor 4:16
- which is not 1 Pet 1:23
- a meek 1 Pet 3:15 Ps 25:9 Ps 147:6 Ps 149:4 Isa 11:4 Isa 29:19 Isa 57:15 Isa 61:1
- quiet Ps 131:2 Jer 51:59 1 Thess 4:11 2 Thess 3:12 1 Tim 2:2
- which is in 1 Sam 16:7 Ps 147:10-11 Ps 149:4 Luke 16:15
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Peter 3
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
Responding to others and to hostility
1 Peter 3:8–17FocusBlessing and a good conscience
Connection to the wholeThe community is called to sympathetic conduct and readiness to explain its hope with meekness rather than retaliation.
interpretation Christ's suffering and triumph
1 Peter 3:18–22FocusLife, baptism, and resurrection
Connection to the wholePeter connects Christ's suffering and victory with Noah's days and baptism, explicitly relating the saving claim to Jesus Christ's resurrection.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Peter
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
A living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusResurrection and salvation
Connection to the wholeThanksgiving places the readers' present trials within their hope and the salvation announced to them.
interpretation A holy and built-together people
1 Peter 1:13–2:10FocusNew birth, obedience, and identity
Connection to the wholeThe hope leads into holiness, love, and the image of believers coming to Christ as living stones.
interpretation FocusLife among others and within households
Connection to the wholePeter applies the calling to public conduct, service, marriage, and the community's manner toward one another.
interpretation Suffering with faithfulness
1 Peter 3:13–4:19FocusChrist's example and God's judgment
Connection to the wholeThe letter addresses opposition by directing believers toward Christ and toward continued doing of good under trial.
interpretation Shepherding and steadfastness
1 Peter 5:1–14FocusHumility, vigilance, and grace
Connection to the wholeFinal instructions to elders and the church join mutual humility with watchfulness and steadfast resistance to the adversary.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.