The open wooden door of a modest courtyard house at dusk, a small clay oil lamp burning on the stone threshold, the lane beyond empty.

The Book of

1 Peter 3

A quiet life at home, a gentle word in the market, and a hope worth explaining to anyone who asks.

22 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2:10Living hopeBorn again to an inheritance
2:11–3:12Living as exilesGood lives among unbelieversChapter 3
3:13–4:19Suffering wellDoing good, following Christ
5Stand firmHumble, alert, held by grace

Wives and Husbands

Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.

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Peter

Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life

1 Peter 3:7

Question

Quick question

Peter turns from what people see on the outside to what God sees on the inside.

Which beauty does Peter call “precious in God’s sight”?

Turning from Evil

Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing

1 Peter 3:9

For,

“Whoever would love life

and see good days

must keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from deceitful speech.

He must turn from evil and do good;

he must seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and His ears are inclined to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against

those who do evil.”

Whoever would love life

Whiteboard

Peter borrows Psalm 34 to show the shape of a good life. It starts with the tongue, turns away from evil to do good, and goes after peace instead of waiting for it. Under it all is a quiet confidence: “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,” and He hears their prayers.

Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”

1 Peter 3:15

But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.

For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Reflect

The reason for your hope

Peter says to be ready to answer “everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you.” If a friend asked you today why you have hope, what would you say? Write a few honest sentences in your own words. Then ask God for an open door, and for the grace to answer “with gentleness and respect.”

A narrow stony path winding through a dark, steep ravine, opening at the far end into warm morning light.

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.

And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

Pray

To bring you to God

Christ suffered “once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Thank Him that the way home is open and that He now reigns “at the right hand of God.” Ask Him to set Christ apart as Lord in your heart, so that when hard days come, your hope shows.

You’ve experienced

1 Peter 3

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A verse to carry with you

But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you.

1 Peter 3:15

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