Wives and husbands
1 Peter 3:1–7FocusConduct, honour, and shared grace
Connection to the wholePeter addresses marital conduct on both sides and warns husbands that failure to honour their wives affects their prayers.
interpretation 1 Peter 3:12
KJVFor 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.
Read it in context
Responding to others and to hostility
Start reading at 1 Peter 3:8 (1 Peter 3:8 to 1 Peter 3:17).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The community is called to sympathetic conduct and readiness to explain its hope with meekness rather than retaliation.
- 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
- 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
- 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
- 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
- 3:12 For 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.
- 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
- 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
- 3:15 But 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:
- 3:16 Having 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.
- 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Peter the apostle is the named author. Silvanus is associated with the letter's delivery or composition in the closing statement; his precise role is not fully explained. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Peter 3:1–3:22): Peter addresses wives and husbands before turning to all the believers concerning shared conduct and suffering for doing good. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The elect strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: Christian communities facing suffering in Asia Minor. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 4:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Responding to others and to hostility. Read 1 Peter 3:8 through 1 Peter 3:17 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The community is called to sympathetic conduct and readiness to explain its hope with meekness rather than retaliation. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter addresses believers facing trials and speaks of Christ's revelation as their hope. It gives no calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The opening names regions of dispersion. The greeting from Babylon should be reported as written; identifying it with another city is an interpretation. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Responding to others and to hostility (1 Peter 3:8 to 1 Peter 3:17). Start reading at 1 Peter 3:8. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Christ's suffering, resurrection, and example ground the exhortation. The baptism statement in chapter 3 should be read with its own qualification and its reference to Jesus' resurrection. See 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Live faithfully and do good under pressure, entrusting judgment to God. Instructions about suffering do not make wrongdoing by those who cause it righteous. interpretation
Cited: 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 3:17, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and mentions Silvanus as the one who wrote it.
1 Peter 1:11 Peter 5:12
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Peter.
What is debatedSome critical scholars question the polished Greek, though the letter itself credits Silvanus.
Related passages
- the eyes Deut 11:12 2 Chr 16:9 Ps 11:4 Prov 15:3 Zech 4:10
- his ears 2 Chr 7:15 Ps 65:2 Prov 15:8,29 John 9:31 Jas 5:16
- but Lev 17:10 Lev 20:3,6 Lev 26:17 Ps 80:16 Jer 21:10 Ezek 15:7
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Peter 3
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
FocusBlessing and a good conscience
Connection to the wholeThe community is called to sympathetic conduct and readiness to explain its hope with meekness rather than retaliation.
interpretation Christ's suffering and triumph
1 Peter 3:18–22FocusLife, baptism, and resurrection
Connection to the wholePeter connects Christ's suffering and victory with Noah's days and baptism, explicitly relating the saving claim to Jesus Christ's resurrection.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Peter
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
A living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusResurrection and salvation
Connection to the wholeThanksgiving places the readers' present trials within their hope and the salvation announced to them.
interpretation A holy and built-together people
1 Peter 1:13–2:10FocusNew birth, obedience, and identity
Connection to the wholeThe hope leads into holiness, love, and the image of believers coming to Christ as living stones.
interpretation FocusLife among others and within households
Connection to the wholePeter applies the calling to public conduct, service, marriage, and the community's manner toward one another.
interpretation Suffering with faithfulness
1 Peter 3:13–4:19FocusChrist's example and God's judgment
Connection to the wholeThe letter addresses opposition by directing believers toward Christ and toward continued doing of good under trial.
interpretation Shepherding and steadfastness
1 Peter 5:1–14FocusHumility, vigilance, and grace
Connection to the wholeFinal instructions to elders and the church join mutual humility with watchfulness and steadfast resistance to the adversary.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.