Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior 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 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, 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 Berean Literal Bible Likewise wives, be subject to the own husbands so that, even if any are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without word by the conduct of the wives, King James Bible 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; 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 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, NASB 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, NASB 1977 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, Legacy 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 without a word by the conduct of their wives, 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, Christian Standard Bible In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live Holman 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 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; 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, 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; GOD'S WORD® Translation Wives, in a similar way, place yourselves under your husbands' authority. Some husbands may not obey God's word. Their wives could win these men [for Christ] by the way they live without saying anything. 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, 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 wives Majority 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 NET Bible 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, New Heart English Bible In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any do not obey the word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; 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; Weymouth 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-- World English Bible In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWives, be subject to your own husbands in like manner, that even if some are disobedient to the word, they may be won through the behavior of the wives without the word, Berean Literal Bible Likewise wives, be subject to the own husbands so that, even if any are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without word by the conduct 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, Smith's Literal Translation Likewise, wives being subject to their own husbands; that also, if any believe not the word, by the turning back of wives might be gained without the word; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIn 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. Catholic Public Domain Version Similarly also, wives should be subject to their husbands, so that, even if some do not believe the Word, they may benefit without the Word, through the behavior of these wives, New American Bible Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct New Revised Standard Version 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, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLIKEWISE, 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. Aramaic Bible in Plain English In this way, also, you women, submit to your husbands, that you may win without labor those who do not obey the word by your beautiful way of life, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentLikewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they may, without the word, be won by the conduct of their wives, Godbey New Testament Likewise, ye wives, be submissive to your own husbands; in order that, if any do not believe the word, they shall be gained through the deportment of their wives, without the word; Haweis New Testament LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if some obey not the word, by their wives? conduct without the word, they may be won over; Mace New Testament 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, Weymouth 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-- Worrell New Testament In like manner, ye wives, be subject to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they may, without the word, be gained through the conduct of their wives, Worsley New Testament Ye women likewise, be subject to your own husbands, that if any believe not the word, they may yet without the word be gained over by the deportment of the wives, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Wives and Husbands1 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 2when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.… Cross References Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Titus 2:4-5 In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited. Genesis 3:16 To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Proverbs 31:10-12 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. 1 Corinthians 7:13-16 And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. / For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. / But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace. ... 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 1 Timothy 2:11-12 A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. Genesis 2:18 The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.” Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Romans 7:2 For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. / If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church. 1 Timothy 3:11 In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things. Treasury of Scripture Likewise, you 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; ye. Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Esther 1:16-20 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus… Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. obey. 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. they. 1 Corinthians 7:16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. won. Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Jump to Previous Apart Attention Behavior Behaviour Believe Changed Conversation Daily Deportment Disbelieve Disobedient Gained Hearts Husbands Likewise Manner Married Message Obey Ruled Subject Subjection Submissive Watching Way Wives Women Won Word WordsJump to Next Apart Attention Behavior Behaviour Believe Changed Conversation Daily Deportment Disbelieve Disobedient Gained Hearts Husbands Likewise Manner Married Message Obey Ruled Subject Subjection Submissive Watching Way Wives Women Won Word Words1 Peter 3 1. He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other;8. exhorting all men to unity and love; 14. and to suffer persecution. 19. He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world. Wives, in the same way, This phrase connects to the preceding context where Peter discusses submission to authority, including government and masters. The "same way" indicates a continuation of the theme of submission, emphasizing a voluntary and respectful attitude. This reflects the broader biblical principle of order and harmony within relationships, as seen in Ephesians 5:21-24, where mutual submission is encouraged within the body of Christ. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. PeterThe apostle who authored the letter, providing guidance to early Christians on how to live out their faith in various relationships. 2. Wives The primary audience of this verse, specifically Christian wives married to non-believing husbands. 3. Husbands The secondary focus, particularly those who do not believe in the Christian faith. 4. Early Christian Communities The broader context in which these instructions were given, where believers often faced persecution and social challenges. 5. The Word Refers to the message of the Gospel, which some husbands in the context of this verse have rejected. Teaching Points Understanding SubmissionSubmission in this context is not about inferiority but about a voluntary and respectful attitude that reflects Christ's humility. Influence Through Conduct The behavior of a Christian wife can be a powerful testimony to her husband, potentially leading him to faith. Cultural Context Recognize the cultural setting of the early church, where a wife's conversion could create tension in a household. Spiritual Leadership While the husband is called to be the spiritual leader, a wife's godly conduct can encourage and support this role. Prayer and Patience Emphasize the importance of prayer and patience in waiting for a spouse's heart to be transformed by God.III. (1) Likewise ye wives . . .--Third division of second prudential rule: subordination conjugal. Here, again, the form in the original is participial, joining this injunction on to 1Peter 2:13; 1Peter 2:18, where the word is the same in Greek, "wives, in the same way submitting yourselves." Whether this imposes for all time upon Christian wives as complete a submission towards their husbands as is here enjoined might perhaps be questioned, because the special reason for the command in this place was to allay suspicions engendered by the boldness with which Christianity proclaimed the freedom of the individual. St. Peter has just been giving injunctions for absolute submission, even to injustice, on the part of slaves; and the progress of Christianity has abolished slavery altogether. The measure of the Christian wife's submission may safely be left to her own enlightened conscience, guided by other passages of the New Testament not written, like this, for a special emergency. Your own husbands.--This does not order submission to the husband in contrast to submission to other directors, but rather gives a reason for obedience. "The Christian wife that hath love to God," says Leighton, "though her husband be not so comely, or so wise, or any way so amiable, as many others, yet because he is her own husband, and because of the Lord's command in the general, and His providence in the particular disposal of His own, therefore she loves and obeys." That if any obey not the word.--Rather, in order that even supposing some (at present) disobey the word. "The word" is, of course, the Gospel, the declaration of the fulfilment of the prophecies in Jesus. And those who "disobey the word" are, according to constant usage, the Jews. The present verb is used of the Jews in Acts 14:2; Acts 17:5; Acts 19:9; Romans 10:21; Romans 11:31; Romans 15:31, besides St. Peter's own use in 1Peter 2:8; 1Peter 4:17. The only places where it is distinctly used of others are Romans 2:8 (of Jew and Gentile together), Romans 11:30 (where the Gentiles are compared with the Jews), Hebrews 3:18 (of the Israelites in the wilderness), Hebrews 11:31 (of the men of Jericho), 1Peter 3:20 (of the refractory antediluvians). In any case it must mean a wilful refusal to submit to the Word, in spite of being intellectually convinced. (See especially 1Peter 2:8.) For every reason, therefore, it is more probable that the case here supposed is that of Hebrew (Christian) women, married to men of their own race who reject the gospel. . . . Verse 1. - Likewise, ye wives. St. Peter has spoken of the duties of servants: why does he omit those of masters? There must have been Christian masters in Asia Minor, as is plain from Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1. But we notice that St. Paul, though he has a few words for masters, addresses slaves at much greater length. Probably Christian masters were comparatively few, while large numbers of slaves had embraced the religion which could do so much to comfort and elevate the oppressed. Again, the immediate purpose of the apostle is to inculcate submission to authority; therefore, having enforced upon Christian servants the example of their Lord, he proceeds to speak of the duty of Christian wives. Christianity was in its infancy; it was to be the means of abolishing slavery, and of raising woman to her proper place in society; but as yet slaves were cruelly oppressed, and women were ill treated and despised. Aristotle tells us that among the barbarians (and a large proportion of the population in the greater part of Asia Minor was barbarian, i.e. non-Greek) the woman and the slave hold the same rank ('Pol.,' I. 2:4). In Greek communities the case was different; but even among the Greeks women occupied a very subordinate position. Christianity would introduce a great and sweeping change in the relations of the sexes, as well as in the relations of master and slave. But the change must be gradual, not violent; it must be brought about by the softening and purifying influences of religion, not by revolt against recognized customs and established authority. Indeed, Christianity would introduce an element of division - the Lord had said so (Luke 12:51-53); families would be divided. It could not be otherwise; Christians must not set even family ties above the love of Christ. But Christian wives must be peacemakers; they must, as far as possible, live at peace even with unbelieving husbands. They would often have much ill treatment to endure in those coarse, cruel days; they must bear it with the quiet strength of gentleness. Be in subjection to your own husbands; literally, submitting yourselves. The participle, as in 1 Peter 2:18, seems to look back to the imperative, "submit yourselves," in 1 Peter 2:13. The present participle implies that this voluntary submission is to be habitual. The adjective "your own" (ἰδίοις) emphasizes the duty. That, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives. There is a well-supported reading, "Even if any." Husband and wife would often be converted together; but if this should not be the case, and if the unbelieving husband should set himself in direct opposition to the Word of God (for the words "believe not" have more than a negative meaning, as in 1 Peter 2:7), still Christian wives must submit themselves. They must do this for the glory of God, and with the hope of saving their husbands' souls; that those unbelieving husbands may be won to Christ and to everlasting life by the silent eloquence of the quiet self-restraint and holy behavior of their wives, without argument or preaching on the wives' part. A self-denying holy life will do more to win those with whom we live in close intercourse than even holy words, and much more than debate and controversy. This seems to be the meaning of ἄνευ λόγου rather than the other possible interpretation, "without the preaching of the Word." Be won; literally, be gained. Each soul converted is a gain to Christ, to the kingdom of heaven, to itself, in this case also to the wife who is the happy instrument of saving her husband (comp. 1 Corinthians 9:19, 20). The word rendered "conversation" here, as elsewhere, means "conduct, behavior." (Compare, on the whole subject, the teaching of St. Paul, Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-11.)Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Wives,γυναῖκες (gynaikes) Noun - Vocative Feminine Plural Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. in the same way, Ὁμοίως (Homoiōs) Adverb Strong's 3668: In like manner, similarly, in the same way, equally. Adverb from homoios; similarly. submit yourselves ὑποτασσόμεναι (hypotassomenai) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Plural Strong's 5293: From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey. to [your] τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. husbands, ἀνδράσιν (andrasin) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. so that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. even καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. if εἴ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. [they] τινες (tines) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. refuse to believe ἀπειθοῦσιν (apeithousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 544: To disobey, rebel, be disloyal, refuse conformity. From apeithes; to disbelieve. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. word, λόγῳ (logō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. they will be won over κερδηθήσονται (kerdēthēsontai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2770: To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. From kerdos; to gain. without ἄνευ (aneu) Preposition Strong's 427: Without, without the cooperation (or knowledge) of. A primary particle; without. words λόγου (logou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. by διὰ (dia) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. behavior ἀναστροφῆς (anastrophēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 391: Dealing with other men, conduct, life, behavior, manner of life. From anastrepho; behavior. of [their] τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Feminine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wives γυναικῶν (gynaikōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. Links 1 Peter 3:1 NIV1 Peter 3:1 NLT 1 Peter 3:1 ESV 1 Peter 3:1 NASB 1 Peter 3:1 KJV 1 Peter 3:1 BibleApps.com 1 Peter 3:1 Biblia Paralela 1 Peter 3:1 Chinese Bible 1 Peter 3:1 French Bible 1 Peter 3:1 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Peter 3:1 In like manner wives be in subjection (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) |
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