Bible Study on 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3

Introduction and Big Ideas: In the third chapter of Peter’s first epistle Peter continues the theme of submitting and suffering during persecution to exalt Christ. Peter picks up where he left of in Chapter 2 by continuing the theme of submission but now how it is applied in family live v.1-7. In this section Peter also gives instruction on the different roles of the husband and wife as well as give instructions on what Godly adornment is. Next Peter calls the Church to love one another and to live in unity v8-12. In v 13-17 Peter explains how a Christian enduring suffering points the world to our hope in Christ. Finally in v18-21 reminds us what Christ’s suffering achieved for us as well as point out how the story of Noah points us to Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.

Submission and the Conduct of Godly women V.1-6
V.1-2 In these verses Peter continues the theme of submission. In chapter 2 we saw how we were to submit to our civil authorities and in the work place (slaves to masters). Now the theme of Godly submission is applied in family. The different roles of men and women in a marriage relationship are seen here. Peter instructs women to be submissive to their husbands to win those who are not obedient to the word. This probably then refers to women be submissive to their unsaved husbands. This is because Peter is trying to motivate their submission in order to be a good testimony to win their husbands to obedience to the word. If the husband was saved then the woman would have a different motivation for submission. It would be to be a picture of Christ and the Church;the woman being the Church and submitting to the headship of Christ (see Eph 5:22-32). Peter’s instruction of wives’ submission to unsaved husbands makes sense in the greater context suffering and submitting to shine Christ to the world which is what Peter has been talking about all throughout the epistle to encourage the persecuted Church.

V.3-4 Next Peter describes how women are to adorn themselves. There is a contrast of physical adornment a spiritual adornment. Peter says do not be only concerned about your outward adornment but more importantly inner adornment of character which is precious in God’s sight. V.4 talks about having an incorruptible beauty. This is a reminder that physical beauty fades and that the less corruptible inner beauty is to be more valued and is less vain (see Prov 31:10-31 especially note v30). Peter says the women are to put on the adornments of a gentle and quiet spirit. 2 Tim 2:8-14 has more on how woman are supposed to adorn themselves as well as their role in the Church.
Application question: Which is more visible to the world your physical adornments or spiritual? When people see you do they see someone trying to attract the attention to their outer beauty or their inner beauty? What does your actions show which is truly more important to you to be seen as precious in the sight of man or God?

V.5-6 Peter then instructs women to follow the example of Godly women who came before them. He uses Sarah as an example.

Instructions to Husbands v.7
v.7 Husband likewise must submit but in a way appropriate to his role as the leader. This includes taking care of the needs of his wife. This is includes being a servant-leader to her like Christ was to the Church. Eph 5:25-31 has more on a how a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church. Interesting to note that the way a husband treats his wife affects his prayers. Peter warns the husband that his prayers could be hindered if he does not honor his wife. It is likely that Peter is referring to the prayers for an unsaved wife and that the husband’s bad testimony could be what hinders his prayers for his wife’s salvation.

Questions for Discussion: Do these passages have any significance on for the Christian single? Why or why not? Should these Biblical marriage roles affect the behavior of the Christian single?

Called to be a Blessing and to Inherit a Blessing
V.8-12 Here Peter encourages the Church to love one another and live in unity. We are to be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, being tenderhearted, courteous, Returning blessing for cursing and not evil for evil. This principle is seen all through out scripture such as in the Sermon on the Mount in Matt 5:44. Peter reminds us that were called to love one another because we called to be a blessing and to also to inherit a blessing. He then cites Ps 34:12-16 as evidence of this. This section of the Psalm provokes our motivation to righteousness knowing that the Lord’s eyes are on the righteous and his ears open to their prayers. The Lord blesses those who seeks him in righteousness but opposes those who do evil.
Exercise: Let’s review Psalm 34. Why would Peter use it here to motivate unity and love? How and why does this Psalm motivate us to serve the Lord?
Application Question: What does it look like in a church when the body of believers are loving one another in unity and not repaying evil for evil? What is the significance of Peter telling the Church not to repay evil for evil when it is going through persecution? What can we learn from this?

Suffering for Righteousness vs. Rightly Suffering
V.13-17 Peter here contrast suffering for good and evil. Saying that you are blessed when you suffer for righteousness’ sake (again possibly quoting the Sermon on the Mount Matt 5:10). He also says not to fear suffering for the sake of righteousness quoting Isaiah 8:12 knowing that you do not need to fear people when you fear the Lord. In v.15 says sanctify the Lord in hearts. This is necessary when going through suffering to worship the Lord no matter what you go through. Then he says to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you. How will people know that you have hope is the way you act during suffering! That points to Christ! People will wonder how you endure and Peter says to be ready to answer them with meekness and fear. Finally Peter says do not let your suffering be in vain by suffering for wrong doing.
Application Point: The way we respond to suffering reveals whether we have hope and what our hope is in. If we can still glorify God in our suffering the world will wonder why which gives us an opportunity to share that the hope we have in Christ. Can people see the hope that is in your life? Are you ready to explain it when you have the opportunity?

Christ’s Suffering and Noah’s Ark Pointing to Christ
V.18-21 This is difficult passage to interpret especially v19. In v.18 Peter again points us to value of suffering by reiterating that Christ suffered for our sins and that brought us to God and made us alive by the Spirit. Then v19 talks about preaching to spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah. John MacArthur offers the explanation that this refers to Christ proclaiming his triumph over the fallen angels with his death. This makes sense because Christ would not be offering salvation to spirits in prison. Then Peter goes on to explain how the story of Noah’s Ark points to Christ. In the story of Noah we have a few being spared God’s judgment being saved through water. This is an antitype (NKJV) to Baptism that saves us from God’s judgment now. This is baptism in Christ not the literally water, Peter makes this extremely clear in v21b. v22 Tells us that Christ in now seated in power at the right hand of God having made everything subject to him. The story of Noah helps emphasizes that Christ’s suffering saved the world from judgment helping us understand the magnitude of the Christ suffering. This all fits nicely with Peter’s theme of enduring suffering to exalt Christ.

Wrap Up and Review: Peter is constantly reminding us of two ‘S’-words we don’t want to hear: submission and suffering. Yet both are unavoidable for the Christian. So will we do each to the glory of God? Will we willing submit when we may not necessarily want to? Will we let God shine in our unsaved world through our submission to authorities? How about our adornment? Are we more concerned with making the outer physical adornment or the inner adornment which is precious in God’s sight? Finally how are we going to react when face with suffering? Are we going to realized we are blessed when we are suffering for the sake of righteousness? Will the world see that we have hope as we go through the troubles of life? And if so will we be prepared to share that hope with them? Let us make the most out of two unpopular words: suffering and submission in order to exalt our a great ‘S’-word; that is the Savior!