1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3 “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 wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but 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.” Even as Christ is the husband and head of his church, likewise the wife is also to be unto her husband, for in doing so the wife peradventure by her submissive disposition, gives an occasion for her husband who is not a believer to turn to the Lord. This same lesson is found in 1 Cor 7:12,14, which teaches us that the wife is not to forsake her belief, for if the husband does not have the new covenant written upon his heart, he cannot retain the truth, yet if he chooses to dwell with her peradventure the Lord will sanctify him to the truth (2 Tim 2:25).

Vs 5 “For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” The above lesson seems to apply only if the wife is doing well, and not afraid of her husband. In which case it appears she is at liberty to leave her husband and remarry, but only in the Lord; that is, to marry a true believer.

Vs 7 “Likewise, 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.” Here we have the other side of the story, wherein the wife is an unbeliever, and is admonished to dwell with her only in the truth, for if the wife chooses to leave, the husband is not under obligation to continue with the civil marriage covenant.

Vs 8 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” This lesson is to the church as the brotherhood. We should live our church lives having compassion for one another, and be willing to give rather than receive. If we harbor bitterness in our hearts for another of the church members then we should not expect to receive the inheritance which is given to those of the brotherhood who have the love of Christ abiding in them.

Vs 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: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” This continues the thought of brotherly love to those in the church. Having said this we find in Rom 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Our tongues can created must harm to the cause of Christ and bring swift destruction upon a church who fails in this respect.

Vs 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. Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” Having given us the lesson above, he then reminds us that as long as we are following after righteousness he will take care of us.

Vs 14 “But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 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: 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.” Even though this seem most unlikely, it never the less is true, for I have experienced both. I am afraid that I have not always given the answer with meekness and fear, but when I have the results, is amazing. The bottom line is that we show our love one to another and the God of all grace shall surely bless the church that attains unto this love.

Vs 17 “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” Jesus the man suffered in order that when we suffer, we might realize that we are not alone in the suffering, for our Husband also suffered likewise in well doing. If we can truly comprehend this, we then are willing to suffer also for the truth’s sake.

Vs 18 cont. “Being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient.” Jesus the man in his flesh was put to death, yet he himself gave up the ghost, for man could not take his spirit from him. Jesus’ body as the man was the sacrificial goat, was offered up (three hours of darkness, behind the vail) as the atonement sacrifice in the room and stead of all of God’s children. Jesus the man’s spirit, as the fit man, led the eternal soul (God being in Christ 2 Cor 5:19) into a land inhabited, hell itself, at which point the eternal forsook the son of man, wherein the entire family of Adam would have gone had not the Father devised means whereby the banished be not expelled (2 Sam 14:14). Being quickened by the spirit, he then preached the resurrection unto those imprisoned in the law, not able to understand how they were just before God (Job 9:2). Titus 3:3 ‘we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.’

Vs 20 “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.” God has indeed suffered long with his people even those chosen (Isa 43:10) to bear witness to the truth. Gen 6:3 “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty (120) years”. Yes God is a merciful and gracious God for he could have very well destroyed the entire race of Adam and started over, but Gen 6:8 tells us that ‘Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.’ Why? He has just stated that Gen 6:5 “GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” We also read both in the old and new Ps 53:3 ‘there is none that doeth good, no, not one Rom 3:12 there is none that doeth good, no, not one.’ Paul tells us in 1 Cor 15:10 ‘by the grace of God I am what I am.’ This is the case with any of God’s children that receive any good from God, or give anything good. Yes Noah was just as wicked as the rest of the people, but grace was extended unto him that the race of Adam may rise above the desires of the flesh and give praise unto their God.

Vs 21 “The 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.” Peter tells us that this account of Noah was to demonstrate the value of the resurrection, and gives those called to the wedding feast an example to follow him through his death and resurrection. Peter is very plain in defining what baptism is for. It does not put away the filth (4509 rhupos ~ morally, depravity) of the Adamic flesh (1 Jh 2:16), which was corrupted in the fall; but rather an answer to the conscience, which prods us to turn away from the filth of this world and follow in his footsteps.

Vs 22 “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” We read in 1 Cor 15:27 “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. … For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?” Baptism in itself indicates not only a burial but also a raising from the dead, and if Jesus is not risen and reigning over his church bride, they why are we baptized in the name of one who is still dead and in the grave. He has risen and as those who are baptized in his name will continue to reign with him until the last enemy is destroyed, that is death.

Vs 24 “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” This brings up another point not recorded here in 1 Peter: what is meant by the statement 'being baptized for the dead'? Paul is making light of those who do not believe in the resurrection, by stating that if Jesus did not raise from the dead, then the baptismal service is a joke, saying how foolish would one be to practice the service if Jesus is yet in the grave.

Allen Cook 04/09/08