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1 Peter 3:1

Let the married women be subservient to their husbands, that if they happen to disbelieve the gospel, they may be gain'd by the instructive conduct of their wives,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Family;   Influence;   Righteousness;   Wife;   Thompson Chain Reference - Duty;   Home;   Modesty;   Social Duties;   Virtues;   Wives' Duty;   Woman;   Womanhood, Crowning Qualities of;   Women;   The Topic Concordance - Marriage;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Chastity;   Conduct, Christian;   Missionaries, All Christians Should Be as;   Wives;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Marriage;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Wife;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Divorce;   Head, Headship;   Marriage;   Word;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Marriage;   Wife;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Marriage;   Peter, the Epistles of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Marriage;   Meekness;   Sex, Biblical Teaching on;   1 Peter;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Conversation;   Marriage;   Peter, First Epistle of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Discipline;   Example;   Family;   Gain;   Liberty;   Marriage;   Meekness;   Tongue;   Unbelief;   Woman;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Word, the;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Marriage;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Behavior;   Essenes, the;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for May 14;   Today's Word from Skip Moen - Devotion for August 19;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
Simplified Cowboy Version
Ladies, you need to respect your husbands in the same way. Even if some of them ain't riding for the Lord, your godly living will speak words that mouths cannot. Your right living will win 'em over.
Bible in Basic English
Wives, be ruled by your husbands; so that even if some of them give no attention to the word, their hearts may be changed by the behaviour of their wives,
Darby Translation
Likewise, wives, [be] subject to your own husbands, that, even if any are disobedient to the word, they may be gained without [the] word by the conversation of the wives,
World English Bible
In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be gained by the behavior of their wives without a word;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
In like manner, ye wives, be subject 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,
Weymouth's New Testament
Married women, in the same way, be submissive to your husbands, so that even if some of them disbelieve the Message, they may, apart from the Message, be won over by the daily life of their wives, after watching your daily life--
King James Version (1611)
Likewise, ye wiues, be in subiection to your owne husbands, that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be wonne by the conuersation of the wiues:
Literal Translation
Likewise, wives, submitting yourselves to your own husbands, that even if any disobey the Word, through the behavior of the wives, without a word they will be won,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Likewyse let the wyues be in subieccion to their hussbandes, that euen they which beleue not the worde, maye without the worde be wonne by ye couersacion of the wyues,
THE MESSAGE
The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty. What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as "my dear husband." You'll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated. The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God's grace, you're equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don't run aground. Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things. If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God. He went and proclaimed God's salvation to earlier generations who ended up in the prison of judgment because they wouldn't listen. You know, even though God waited patiently all the days that Noah built his ship, only a few were saved then, eight to be exact—saved from the water by the water. The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience. Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God, and what he says goes.
Amplified Bible
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives,
American Standard Version
In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives;
Revised Standard Version
Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Lykewyse let the wyves be in subieccio to their husbades that eve they which beleve not the worde maye with out the worde be wonne by the conversacion of ye wyves:
Update Bible Version
In like manner, you wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any do not obey the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives;
Webster's Bible Translation
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 deportment of the wives;
Young's Literal Translation
In like manner, the wives, be ye subject to your own husbands, that even if certain are disobedient to the word, through the conversation of the wives, without the word, they may be won,
New Century Version
In the same way, you wives should yield to your husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey God's teaching, they will be persuaded to believe without anyone's saying a word to them. They will be persuaded by the way their wives live.
New English Translation
In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then, even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live,
Berean Standard Bible
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
Contemporary English Version
If you are a wife, you must put your husband first. Even if he opposes our message, you will win him over by what you do. No one else will have to say anything to him,
Complete Jewish Bible
In the same way, wives, submit to your husbands; so that even if some of them do not believe the Word, they will be won over by your conduct, without your saying anything,
English Standard Version
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
Geneva Bible (1587)
Likewise let the wiues bee subiect to their husbandes, that euen they which obey not the worde, may without the worde be wonne by the conuersation of the wiues,
George Lamsa Translation
LIKEWISE, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands, so that those who obey not the word may be won without difficulty through your good example.
Christian Standard Bible®
In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the Christian message, they may be won over without a message by the way their wives live
Hebrew Names Version
In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be gained by the behavior of their wives without a word;
International Standard Version
In a similar way, you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands so that, even if some of them refuse to obey the word, they may be won over without a word through your conduct as wivesMatthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 9:19-22; 14:34; Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
So you also, wives, be subject to your own husbands, that them who have not obeyed the word, by your comely manners without labour you may win,
Murdock Translation
So also ye wives, be ye subject to your husbands; that, by your pleasing behavior, ye may gain over, without difficulty, those who obey not the word,
New King James Version
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,
New Living Translation
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over
New Life Bible
Wives, obey your own husbands. Some of your husbands may not obey the Word of God. By obeying your husbands, they may become Christians by the life you live without you saying anything.
English Revised Version
In like manner, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behaviour of their wives;
New Revised Standard
Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
In like manner, ye wives, - submitting yourselves unto your own husbands; in order that, if any are not yielding unto the word, through their wives behaviour, they may, without the word, be won,
Douay-Rheims Bible
In like manner also, let wives be subject to their husbands: that, if any believe not the word, they may be won without the word, by the conversation of the wives,
King James Version
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;
Lexham English Bible
In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the conduct of their wives,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Likewise ye wyues, be in subiectio to your husbandes, that euen they whiche obey not the word, may without the word, be wonne by the couersation of ye wiues,
Easy-to-Read Version
In the same way, you wives should be willing to serve your husbands. Then, even those who have refused to accept God's teaching will be persuaded to believe because of the way you live. You will not need to say anything.
New American Standard Bible
In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives,
Good News Translation
In the same way you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands, so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a word,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Also wymmen be thei suget to her hosebondis; that if ony man bileue not to the word, bi the conuersacioun of wymmen thei be wonnun with out word.

Contextual Overview

1 Let the married women be subservient to their husbands, that if they happen to disbelieve the gospel, they may be gain'd by the instructive conduct of their wives, 2 by observing the religious chastity of their manners. 3 let their ornament consist, not in what is external, in curling the hair, in appendages of gold, or finery of dress; 4 but in the internal qualities of the mind, in that purity, in that mild and dispassionate temper, which is so acceptable to the divine being. 5 the holy religious women of former times were thus adorned, and were submissive to their husbands. 6 such was Sarah, who show'd her obeysance to Abraham, by stiling him her Lord: and you will be stiled her children, if you imitate her conduct, and are not to be terrified out of your virtue. 7 You husbands, do you on your part behave with prudence towards your wives: who being of a more delicate make, ought to be treated with the greater tenderness: and consider they are equally intitled to the evangelical gifts, that your prayers may not be frustrated.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

ye: Genesis 3:16, Esther 1:16-20, Romans 7:2,*Gr: 1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Corinthians 14:34, Ephesians 5:22-24, Ephesians 5:33, Colossians 3:18, 1 Timothy 2:11, 1 Timothy 2:12, Titus 2:3-6

obey: 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:17, Romans 6:17, Romans 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 11:8

they: 1 Corinthians 7:16, Colossians 4:5

won: Proverbs 11:30, Proverbs 18:19, Matthew 18:15, 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, James 5:19, James 5:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:24 - and they shall be one flesh Numbers 30:13 - and every 2 Kings 4:9 - she said Esther 1:12 - refused Esther 1:20 - all the wives Proverbs 31:11 - General Proverbs 31:26 - in her Matthew 5:16 - that Romans 2:8 - and do not Ephesians 4:29 - minister 1 Thessalonians 4:12 - them Titus 2:5 - obedient Philemon 1:6 - the acknowledging James 3:13 - a good 1 Peter 2:12 - that 1 Peter 3:16 - good

Cross-References

Matthew 4:3
whereupon the tempter came to him, and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."
Matthew 4:6
if you are the Son of God, throw your self down: for it is written , "he will charge his angels to take care of you, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest you bruise your foot against a stone."
Matthew 4:9
said he, will I give you, if you will prostrate your self and worship me.
Matthew 10:16
By your mission you will be expos'd like sheep in the midst of wolves: be then as circumspect as serpents, and as inoffensive as doves:
2 Corinthians 11:14
and no wonder; for satan himself may put on the appearance of an angel of light.
1 Peter 3:7
You husbands, do you on your part behave with prudence towards your wives: who being of a more delicate make, ought to be treated with the greater tenderness: and consider they are equally intitled to the evangelical gifts, that your prayers may not be frustrated.
Revelation 12:9
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, call'd the devil or satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were precipitated with him.
Revelation 20:2
and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands,.... As well as subjects to princes, and servants to masters; though not with the same sort of subjection, but what is suitable to the relation they stand in to their husbands; :-.

:-.

that if any obey not the word; any husband who is an unbeliever, has no love for the Gospel, and gives no credit to it, but despises, disbelieves, and rejects it, the word of truth, of faith, of righteousness, reconciliation, and salvation. The apostle, though he includes all wives, and exhorts them in general to subjection to their own husbands, yet has a particular regard to such as had unbelieving husbands, and who, on that account, were scrupulous of living with them, and of being in subjection to them; and therefore, as the Apostle Paul also did, he advises them to abide with them, and behave well to them, using much the same argument as he does in 1 Corinthians 7:10.

they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; for though the ordinary way and means of conversion is the word, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word; yet it may be sometimes done without it; or however by the agreeable conversation of professors, and so of religious wives, the hearts of such as were averse to Christianity, and the Gospel, as unbelieving husbands, may be so softened, and wrought upon, as to entertain a better opinion of it, and in process of time be inclined to hear and attend it; the consequence of which may prove their conversion, which is a gaming, or winning of souls; and which, as it is for their good, is for the glory of Christ; for as every soul that is delivered from the power of darkness, and is translated into the kingdom of Christ, is a loss to Satan, it is a gain to Christ, and to his church. The Syriac version, instead of "without the word", reads, "without labour"; as if the winning of unbelieving husbands was easily obtained by the conversation of their wives.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands - On the duty here enjoined, see the 1 Corinthians 11:3-9 notes, and Ephesians 5:22 note.

That, if any obey not the word - The word of God; the gospel. That is, if any wives have husbands who are not true Christians. This would be likely to occur when the gospel was first preached, as it does now, by the fact that wives might be converted, though their husbands were not. It cannot be inferred from this, that after they themselves had become Christians they had married unbelieving husbands. The term “word” here refers particularly to the gospel as preached; and the idea is, that if they were regardless of that gospel when preached - if they would not attend on preaching, or if they were unaffected by it, or if they openly rejected it, there might be hope still that they would be converted by the Christian influence of a wife at home. In such cases, a duty of special importance devolves on the wife.

They also may without the word be won - In some other way than by preaching. This I does not mean that they would be converted independently of the influence of truth - for truth is always the instrument of conversion, James 1:18; John 17:17; but that it was to be by another influence than preaching.

By the conversation of the wives - By the conduct or deportment of their wives. See the notes at Philippians 1:27. The word conversation, in the Scriptures, is never confined, as it is now with us, to oral discourse, but denotes conduct in general. It includes indeed “conversation” as the word is now used, but it embraces also much more - including everything that we do. The meaning here is, that the habitual deportment of the wife was to be such as to show the reality and power of religion; to show that it had such influence on her temper, her words, her whole deportment, as to demonstrate that it was from God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER III.

The duty of wives to their husbands, how they are to be

adorned, and be in subjection as Sarah was to Abraham, 1-6.

The duty of husbands to their wives, 7.

How to obtain happiness, and live a long and useful life, 8-11.

God loves and succours them that do good; but his face is

against the wicked, 12, 13.

They should suffer persecution patiently, and be always ready

to give a reason of the hope that is in them; and preserve a

good conscience, though they suffered for righteousness, 14-17.

Christ suffered for us, and was put to death in the flesh, but

quickened by the Spirit, 18.

How he preached to the old world, while Noah was preparing the

ark, 19, 20.

The salvation of Noah and his family a type of baptism, 21.

Christ is ascended to heaven, all creatures being subject to

him, 22.

NOTES ON CHAP. III.

Verse 1 Peter 3:1. Ye wives, be in subjection — Consider that your husband is, by God's appointment, the head and ruler of the house; do not, therefore, attempt to usurp his government; for even though he obey not the word-is not a believer in the Christian doctrine, his rule is not thereby impaired; for Christianity never alters civil relations: and your affectionate, obedient conduct will be the most likely means of convincing him of the truth of the doctrine which you have received.

Without the word — That your holy conduct may be the means of begetting in them a reverence for Christianity, the preaching of which they will not hear. 1 Corinthians 14:34, and the other places referred to in the margin.


 
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