1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3

The big picture

1 Peter 3 opens in verse 1 with “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”, and closes in verse 22 with “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and…” Repeated or prominent terms include evil, good, Lord, Christ, conversation. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

1 Peter · King James Version · 22

1 Peter 3:1-8

1–8: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any…

1 Peter 3:1–8 opens with “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they…” and reaches “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Peter 3 develops its own movement around evil, good, Lord, Christ, conversation, with particular weight carried by husbands, adorning, conversation.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the…” Naming Likewise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of…” Naming Whose keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

1 Peter 3:1-8

King James Version

1Likewise, 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;

2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4But 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.

5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7Likewise, 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.

8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1 Peter 3:9-16

9–16: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise…

1 Peter 3:9–16 opens with “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye…” and reaches “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Peter 3 develops its own movement around evil, good, Lord, Christ, conversation, with particular weight carried by evil, good, Lord.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” The line’s distinctive content terms include ensue, eschew, evil. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

1 Peter 3:9-16

King James Version

9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

1 Peter 3:17-22

17–22: For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well…

1 Peter 3:17–22 opens with “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” and reaches “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Peter 3 develops its own movement around evil, good, Lord, Christ, conversation, with particular weight carried by Christ, doing, flesh.

Context that brings the passage to life

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

1 Peter 3:17-22

King James Version

17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Details worth noticing

22verses in this reading
3major movements
1verses with speech
1questions in the KJV text

The opening image

1 Peter 3:1 begins with “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…”

Where the chapter turns

1 Peter 3:13 forms a natural hinge: “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”

The final note

1 Peter 3:22 leaves the reader with “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

A word trail through the chapter

The words evil, good, Lord, Christ, conversation, husbands help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

How does blame move through the conversation?

The man points to the woman and indirectly to God; the woman points to the serpent. Neither response repairs trust.

Where does mercy appear?

Continued life, the promise involving offspring, and clothing accompany the expulsion.

KJV words made clear

behold
look, or pay close attention
unto
to
hath
has
doth
does

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.