Keys of Truth: 1 Peter (Chapter 3)

Chapter summary:
Peter concludes his remarks on submission by looking at the marriage relationship (3:1-7). Then he returns to his major theme: suffering unjustly. While this does happen, God is constantly observing us so that He might bless our righteous deeds (vv. 8-12). If suffering should come even though we do good, we are not to fear, being conscious of Christ's lordship, and keep on doing good (vv. 13-17). We are also to remember that Jesus Himself suffered despite doing only good—and that God through Christ's suffering brought us to God. The object of this analogy is to show that when we suffer unjustly, we can expect God to have some good purpose in mind (vv. 18-19).

In another analogy Peter reminds us that as Noah was carried through the floodwaters of judgment to be deposited in a new world, so we too have been carried safely past the danger of judgment and, through our union with Jesus, lifted up into heaven with Him (vv. 20-22). Christ's suffering involved injustice, yes. But what glory His patient suffering won for Him and for us.

The believer’s personal application: Trust God to bring good out of your pain.

Textual Insight

“Submission in marriage” (3:1-6):
Peter includes marriage in his discussion because this too is "Situational" submission. That is, wives are to relate to their husbands as is deemed appropriate in the society. This is particularly important where husbands are not believers (v. 1).

“Real beauty” (3:3):
Peter is not launching a tirade against makeup. He is reminding us that what counts is a person's inner rather man outer beauty. A beautiful spirit in a woman will do far more to win a husband's admiration and allegiance to Christ than a provocative outfit!
Husbands show consideration and respect (3:7). Don't mistake the Bible's references to women's voluntary submission in marriage for divine grant of male domination. Peter reminds us that marriage is a partnership, not slavery.

"Live in harmony" (3:8-13):
Peter describes the "good life" that God looks for and blesses—under normal circumstances. The quote of Ps. 34:12-16 describes the usual case: God watches over the righteous and punishes the evil.

“Response to unjust suffering” (3:14-16):
What if we are "eager to do good," but still suffer harm? Peter gives these guidelines: (1) Do not fear. (2) Remember Christ is Lord. (3) Remain hope-filled and willing to explain why you are still positive about life. (4) Keep on doing good so you will have a clear conscience, and your enemies will be ashamed. (5) Remember, it's better to suffer for doing good than if we were suffering because we had committed some wrong. It's strange but true; in our faith, the victim is the victor, and the persecuted triumph.

"Christ as Lord" (3:15):
We are to remember that Jesus is the sovereign power in this universe. Nothing can happen without His permission. And anything He permits to happen to us is filtered through His love.

Here are four types of submission:
1)“Functional”: a distinguishing of our roles and the work we are called to do.
2)“Relational”: a loving acknowledgment of another's value as a person.
3)“Reciprocal”: a mutual, humble cooperation with one another.
4)“Universal”: an acknowledgment by the church of the all-encompassing lordship of Jesus Christ.

Submission is voluntarily cooperating with anyone out of love and respect for God first, and then secondly, out of love and respect for that person. Submitting to nonbelievers is difficult, but it is a vital part of leading them to Jesus Christ. We are not called to submit to nonbelievers to the point that we compromise our relationship with God, but we must look for every opportunity to humbly serve in the power of God's Spirit.