1 Peter 3:1

1 Peter 3:1 in other versions

• King James Version (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;
• New International Version (NIV)Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,
• English Standard Version (ESV)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,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

Context of 1 Peter 3:1

In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives, 2when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together with your devotion and appreciation—love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God]. 3Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or [being superficially preoccupied with] dressing in expensive clothes;

1 Peter 3:1 word by word

Ὁμοίως αἱ γυναῖκες ὑποτασσόμεναι τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν, ἵνα καὶ εἴ τινες ἀπειθοῦσιν τῷ λόγῳ, διὰ τῆς τῶν γυναικῶν ἀναστροφῆς ἄνευ λόγου κερδηθήσονται,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Likewiseὁμοίωςhomoiōs · similarlyG3668
• ye wivesγυνήgunē · woman: wifeG1135
• in subjectionὑποτάσσωhupotassō · to subjectG5293
• to your ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
• husbandsἀνήρanēr · man: husbandG435
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• anyτιςtis · oneG5100
• obey notἀπειθέωapeitheō · to disobeyG544
• the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• mayκερδαίνωkerdainō · to gainG2770
• withoutἄνευaneu · withoutG427
• byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• ·ἀναστροφήanastrophē · behaviourG391

Cross-references for 1 Peter 3:1

• Genesis 3:16To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth; In pain you will give birth to children; Yet your desire and longing will be for your husband, And he will rule [with authority] over you and be responsible for you.”
• Esther 1:16And Memucan answered in the presence of the king and the officials, “Vashti the queen has not only wronged the king but [also] all the officials (royal representatives) and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
• Romans 7:2For the married woman [as an example] is bound and remains bound by law to her husband while he lives; but if her husband dies, she is released and exempt from the law concerning her husband.
• 1 Corinthians 11:3But I want you to understand that Christ is the head (authority over) of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 14:34the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says.
• Ephesians 5:22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord.
• Colossians 3:18Wives, be subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and fitting in the Lord.
• 1 Timothy 2:11A woman must quietly receive instruction with all submissiveness.
• 1 Peter 1:22Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly seeking the best for one another],
• 1 Peter 4:17For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God?
• Romans 6:17But thank God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.
• Romans 10:16But they did not all pay attention to the good news [of salvation]; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
• 2 Thessalonians 1:8dealing out [full and complete] vengeance to those who do not [seek to] know God and to those who ignore and refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus [by choosing not to respond to Him].
• Hebrews 5:9And having been made perfect [uniquely equipped and prepared as Savior and retaining His integrity amid opposition], He became the source of eternal salvation [an eternal inheritance] to all those who obey Him,
• Hebrews 11:8By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going.
• 1 Corinthians 7:16For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband [by leading him to Christ]? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife [by leading her to Christ]?

Commentaries on 1 Peter 3:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Ye wives, be in subjection - Consider that your husband is, by God's appointment, the head and ruler of the house; do not, therefore, attempt to usurp his government; for even though he obey not the word - is not a believer in the Christian doctrine, his rule is not thereby impaired; for Christianity never alters civil relations: and your affectionate, obedient conduct will be the most likely means of convincing him of the truth of the doctrine which you…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands - On the duty here enjoined, see the 1 Corinthians 11:3-9 notes, and Ephesians 5:22 note. That, if any obey not the word - The word of God; the gospel. That is, if any wives have husbands who are not true Christians. This would be likely to occur when the gospel was first preached, as it does now, by the fact that wives might be converted, though their husbands were not. It cannot be inferred from…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The duties of wives and husbands. (1-7) Christians exhorted to agree. (8-13) And encouraged to patience under persecutions for righteousness' sake, considering that Christ suffered patiently. (14-22) Verses 1-7 The wife must discharge her duty to her own husband, though he obey not the word. We daily see how narrowly evil men watch the ways and lives of professors of religion. Putting on of apparel is not forbidden, but vanity and costliness in ornament…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Submit yourselves to: Wives are instructed to recognize that God has appointed the husband as head of the relationship (see 2:13; Ephesians 5:22–25). In the ancient world, submission often meant obedience (see 1 Peter 3:6). God also intends the husband to lead in a loving and respectful way (3:7; see Ephesians 5:25–30). Peter focuses especially on wives whose husbands do not believe in Christ and who may oppose their wives’ faith. without words: Peter…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-221Pe 3:1-22. Relative Duties of Husbands and Wives: Exhortations to Love and Forbearance: Right Conduct under Persecutions for Righteousness' Sake, after Christ's Example, Whose Death Resulted in Quickening to Us through His Being Quickened Again, of Which Baptism Is the Sacramental Seal. 1. Likewise--Greek, "In like manner," as "servants" in their sphere; compare the reason of the woman's subjection, 1Co 11:8-10; 1Ti 2:11-14. your own--enforcing the…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Peter 3:1

• Family
• Influence
• Righteousness
• Wife

In the dictionaries

• Adorning
• Chaste
• Contrariwise
• Marriage
• Ornament
• Pitiful
• Quiet
• Railing
• Reason
• Spirit

Commentaries on 1 Peter 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings