Commentary on First Peter (86)
Posted by Vincent Cheung on July 25, 20061 PETER 3:1-6
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your 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, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
Let us first recall the background and purpose of Peter's letter. He is writing to people who have been converted to the Christian faith out of a society steeped in pagan religions, false philosophies, and sinful lifestyles. They have been saved from idolatry and damnation, but this has also made them "aliens and strangers in the world" (2:11). As such, they would sometimes come under persecutions, which are often founded on misrepresentations and false accusations regarding Christian beliefs and the implications of these beliefs.
After presenting an elaborate theological foundation on which Christians are to construct their thoughts and actions, and through which they are to interpret their situation, Peter instructs his readers to counter slander with godly behavior. He writes in 2:12, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." Then, he proceeds to describe how Christians can live "good lives among the pagans" within specific situations and relationships.
Submission to human institutions is emphasized. This is perhaps because with all its talk about having one Master and the freedom that he brings, it has been inferred that Christian doctrine incites rebellion against authority and aspires to overturn the existing social structure. But the truth is that the Christian faith both commands and enables believers to function under human authority with sincerity, patience, and excellence. It is important that we explain this to those who have misunderstood the faith (3:15), but then we must also demonstrate its teaching in our conduct. As Peter writes, "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men" (2:15).
So, the command is to "submit yourselves…to every authority instituted among men" (2:13). We have already considered two examples: submission to the civil government (2:13-17) and submission of the household servants to their masters (2:18-20). Peter now turns to address the submission of wives to their husbands.