1Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands — so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, [3:2] when they see your reverent and pure conduct. [3:3] Let your adorning not be outward — braided hair and the putting on of gold jewelry and the clothing you wear — [3:4] but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God's sight. [3:5] For in this way the holy women of old, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, [3:6] as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not give way to any fear. [3:7] Likewise, husbands, live with your wives according to knowledge, showing honor to the woman as the physically weaker and yet as joint heirs of the grace of life — so that your prayers will not be hindered.
1PE 3:1-7
Wives and Husbands
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman household, wives were expected to align with societal norms of submission to their husbands, a practice rooted in the patriarchal structure of the Roman familia. The term (to submit) carried a cultural expectation of voluntary alignment with this hierarchy, not coercion. Wives were often judged by their outward appearance, with elaborate hairstyles, gold jewelry, and fine garments serving as markers of status. However, this passage shifts focus to the inner character, emphasizing a gentle and quiet spirit as imperishable and valuable before God. This echoes Jewish and Stoic ideals of inner virtue over external adornment. The mention of wives winning over disobedient husbands through conduct reflects the influence women could wield within the household, even in a patriarchal system. Husbands are urged to honor their wives as co-heirs of grace, acknowledging their spiritual equality while recognizing their societal vulnerability . This framing balances cultural norms with a countercultural emphasis on mutual respect and inner worth.
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How other translations render this
1PE 3:1
- KJV
- 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;
- BSB
- Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
- Koinōnos
- Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands — so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
1PE 3:2
- KJV
- While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
- BSB
- when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.
- Koinōnos
- when they see your reverent and pure conduct.
1PE 3:3
- KJV
- Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
- BSB
- Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes,
- Koinōnos
- Let your adorning not be outward — braided hair and the putting on of gold jewelry and the clothing you wear —
1PE 3:4
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in Godʼs sight.
- Koinōnos
- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God's sight.
1PE 3:5
- KJV
- 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:
- BSB
- For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands,
- Koinōnos
- For in this way the holy women of old, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands,
1PE 3:6
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.
- Koinōnos
- as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not give way to any fear.
1PE 3:7
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
- Koinōnos
- Likewise, husbands, live with your wives according to knowledge, showing honor to the woman as the physically weaker and yet as joint heirs of the grace of life — so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1PE 3:1
- wives:The word translated 'wives' here is actually a verb meaning 'to subject oneself' or 'to arrange oneself under.' It implies a voluntary act of aligning with another's leadership, not forced submission.
1PE 3:2
- respect:The term translated 'respect' often carried the stronger sense of 'fear' or 'awe' in the first century. It suggests a profound reverence that acknowledges authority and power.
1PE 3:4
- spirit,:The word translated 'spirit' can refer to the non-physical part of a person, but it also frequently denotes breath or wind. Here, it suggests an inner disposition or character that is gentle and tranquil.
1PE 3:7
- with a weaker:The phrase 'with a weaker' uses a word that literally means 'without strength' or 'feeble.' It refers to physical vulnerability or a lack of robust physical power, not necessarily emotional or spiritual weakness.