1 Peter 3

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Wives are to be in subjection to their husbands so that some may be won "without the word," adorned with "a meek and quiet spirit," and husbands are to honour their wives as "heirs together of the grace of life." All are to be of one mind, "Not rendering evil for evil," and if they "suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye," always "ready... to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." For "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:1 1 Peter 3:4 1 Peter 3:7 1 Peter 3:8 1 Peter 3:9 1 Peter 3:14 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:18

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Peter addresses wives and husbands, then all the readers; he names Sara and Abraham, and Noah. 1 Peter 3:1 1 Peter 3:6 1 Peter 3:7 1 Peter 3:8 1 Peter 3:20 1 Peter overview

Where

The chapter names no place; the readers live in Asia Minor. 1 Peter overview

When

Traditionally about AD 62-64, shortly before Peter's death in Rome under Nero. Many scholars think it was written in Peter's name, about AD 70-95; others accept that Peter wrote it. 1 Peter overview

How it fits

Chapter 2 ended with Christ's example in suffering; this chapter begins "Likewise" and applies it to homes and to all believers. Chapter 4 continues, "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." 1 Peter 2:21 1 Peter 3:1 1 Peter 3:17 1 Peter 4:1

Key verses

Verse 4
Let adorning be "the hidden man of the heart... even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:3 1 Peter 3:4
Verse 15
"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." 1 Peter 3:14 1 Peter 3:15
Verse 18
"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:18

Takeaway

Live in a way that wins others, repay evil with blessing, and be ready to explain your hope gently, because Christ suffered to bring you to God. 1 Peter 3:1 1 Peter 3:9 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:18

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-30.

Wives and husbands

¹Likewise, 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; ²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. ³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; ⁴But 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. ⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: ⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. ⁷Likewise, 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.

Suffering for doing good

⁸Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: ⁹Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. ¹⁰For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: ¹¹Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. ¹²For 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. ¹³And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? ¹⁴But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; ¹⁵But 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: ¹⁶Having 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. ¹⁷For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

Christ suffered for sins

¹⁸For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: ¹⁹By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; ²⁰Which sometime were disobedient, 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. ²¹The 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: ²²Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.