in the sight of God--who looks to inward, not merely outward things.
of great price--The results of redemption should correspond to its costly price ([1Pe 1:19]).
5. after this manner--with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit (compare the portrait of the godly wife, [Pr 31:10-31]).
trusted--Greek, "hoped." "Holy" is explained by "hoped in (so as to be 'united to,' Greek) God." Hope in God is the spring of true holiness [Bengel].
in subjection--Their ornament consisted in their subordination. Vanity was forbidden ([1Pe 3:3]) as being contrary to female subjection.
6. Sara--an example of faith.
calling him lord--([Ge 18:12]).
ye are--Greek, "ye have become": "children" of Abraham and Sara by faith, whereas ye were Gentile aliens from the covenant.
afraid with any amazement--Greek, "fluttering alarm," "consternation." Act well, and be not thrown into sudden panic, as weak females are apt to be, by any opposition from without. Bengel translates, "Not afraid OF any fluttering terror coming from without" ([1Pe 3:13-16]). So the Septuagint, [Pr 3:25] uses the same Greek word, which Peter probably refers to. Anger assails men; fear, women. You need fear no man in doing what is right: not thrown into fluttering agitation by any sudden outbreak of temper on the part of your unbelieving husbands, while you do well.
7. dwell--Greek, "dwelling": connected with the verb, [1Pe 2:17], "Honor all."
knowledge--Christian knowledge: appreciating the due relation of the sexes in the design of God, and acting with tenderness and forbearance accordingly: wisely: with wise consideration.
them ... giving honour to the wife--translate and punctuate the Greek rather, "dwelling according to knowledge with the female (Greek adjective, qualifying 'vessel'; not as English Version, a noun) as with the weaker vessel (see on [1Th 4:4]. Both husband and wife are vessels in God's hand, and of God's making, to fulfil His gracious purposes. Both weak, the woman the weaker. The sense of his own weakness, and that she, like himself, is God's vessel and fabric, ought to lead him to act with tender and wise consideration towards her who is the weaker fabric), giving (literally, 'assigning,' 'apportioning') honor as being also (besides being man and wife) heirs together," &c.; or, as the Vatican manuscript reads, as to those who are also (besides being your wives) fellow heirs." (The reason why the man should give honor to the woman is, because God gives honor to both as fellow heirs; compare the same argument, [1Pe 3:9]). He does not take into account the case of an unbelieving wife, as she might yet believe.
grace of life--God's gracious gift of life ([1Pe 1:4], ).
that your prayers be not hindered--by dissensions, which prevent united prayer, on which depends the blessing.
8. General summary of relative duty, after having detailed particular duties from [1Pe 2:18].
of one mind--as to the faith.
having compassion one of another--Greek, "sympathizing" in the joy and sorrow of others.
love as brethren--Greek, "loving the brethren."
pitiful--towards the afflicted.
courteous--genuine Christian politeness; not the tinsel of the world's politeness; stamped with unfeigned love on one side, and humility on the other. But the oldest manuscripts read, "humble-minded." It is slightly different from "humble," in that it marks a conscious effort to be truly humble.
9. evil--in deed.
railing--in word.
blessing--your revilers; participle, not a noun after "rendering."
knowing that--The oldest manuscripts read merely, "because."
are--Greek, "were called."
inherit a blessing--not only passive, but also active; receiving spiritual blessing from God by faith, and in your turn blessing others from love [Gerhard in Alford]. "It is not in order to inherit a blessing that we must bless, but because our portion is blessing." No railing can injure you ([1Pe 3:13]). Imitate God who "blesses" you. The first fruits of His blessing for eternity are enjoyed by the righteous even now ([1Pe 3:10]) [Bengel].
10. will love--Greek, "wishes to love." He who loves life (present and eternal), and desires to continue to do so, not involving himself in troubles which will make this life a burden, and cause him to forfeit eternal life. Peter confirms his exhortation, [1Pe 3:9], by [Psa 34:12-16].
refrain--curb, literally, "cause to cease"; implying that our natural inclination and custom is to speak evil. "Men commonly think that they would be exposed to the wantonness of their enemies if they did not strenuously vindicate their rights. But the Spirit promises a life of blessedness to none but those who are gentle and patient of evils" [Calvin].
evil ... guile--First he warns against sins of the tongue, evil-speaking, and deceitful, double-tongued speaking; next, against acts of injury to one's neighbor.
11. In oldest manuscripts, Greek, "Moreover (besides his words, in acts), let him."
eschew--"turn from."
ensue--pursue as a thing hard to attain, and that flees from one in this troublesome world.
12. Ground of the promised present and eternal life of blessedness to the meek ([1Pe 3:10]). The Lord's eyes are ever over them for good.
ears ... unto their prayers--([1Jo 5:14], ).
face ... against--The eyes imply favorable regard; the face of the Lord upon (not as English Version, "against") them that do evil, implies that He narrowly observes them, so as not to let them really and lastingly hurt His people (compare [1Pe 3:13]).
13. who ... will harm you--This fearless confidence in God's protection from harm, Christ, the Head, in His sufferings realized; so His members.
if ye be--Greek, "if ye have become."
followers--The oldest manuscripts read "emulous," "zealous of" ([Tit 2:14]).
good--The contrast in Greek is, "Who will do you evil, if ye be zealous of good?"
14. But and if--"But if even." "The promises of this life extend only so far as it is expedient for us that they should be fulfilled" [Calvin]. So he proceeds to state the exceptions to the promise ([1Pe 3:10]), and how the truly wise will behave in such exceptional cases. "If ye should suffer"; if it should so happen; "suffer," a milder word than harm.
for righteousness--"not the suffering, but the cause for which one suffers, makes the martyr" [Augustine].
happy--Not even can suffering take away your blessedness, but rather promotes it.
and--Greek, "but." Do not impair your blessing ([1Pe 3:9]) by fearing man's terror in your times of adversity. Literally, "Be not terrified with their terror," that is, with that which they try to strike into you, and which strikes themselves when in adversity. This verse and [1Pe 3:15] is quoted from [Is 8:12], . God alone is to be feared; he that fears God has none else to fear.
neither be troubled--the threat of the law, [Le 26:36]; [De 28:65], ; in contrast to which the Gospel gives the believer a heart assured of God's favor, and therefore unruffled, amidst all adversities. Not only be not afraid, but be not even agitated.
15. sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, [Mt 6:9]. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit.