1 Peter 3:5- For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands.
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Peter is giving an example from history. He’s reminding Christian wives that the kind of inner beauty he’s been talking about—gentleness, quiet strength, and respect—is not a new idea. It’s how godly women in the past lived.
These women, Peter says, “put their hope in God.” That’s the key. They trusted God, not their circumstances or appearance, and their faith showed in how they treated their husbands. Their beauty came from their trust in God and their choice to honor their husbands.
The word “submit” here doesn’t mean being weak or less valuable. It means willingly choosing to respect, honor, and support their husband’s leadership out of love and trust in God—not because their husband was perfect, but because they were trusting God with their marriage.
Historical Context
In the ancient world, especially in Jewish and Roman society, women were expected to follow certain roles. But Peter isn’t pointing to cultural rules—he’s pointing to holy women of the past, like Sarah, Rebecca, and others, who walked with God and showed their faith by how they treated their husbands.
For early Christian women, many of whom were married to non-Christian husbands, this teaching was important. Peter wanted to encourage them to live out their faith in a way that honored God and could influence their husbands without nagging or fighting.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches that true beauty and strength come from trust in God. Submission in marriage is not about control or inferiority—it’s about an attitude of respect, humility, and faith.
It also reminds us that believers are part of a long story. God’s people, throughout history, have lived this way. Their example shows that hope in God changes how we live, even in hard situations.
Literary Analysis
Peter uses the phrase holy women of the past to anchor his point in history. He is drawing a line between these faithful women and the Christian women he is writing to.
He also uses the words adorn themselves to connect back to the previous verses about beauty. He’s saying that the way these women “dressed up” was not with gold or fine clothes but with trust in God and respect for their husbands.
The structure of the verse keeps pointing back to what matters most—hope in God.
Cross-References
- Genesis 18:12 – Sarah refers to Abraham as “my lord,” showing respect.
- Proverbs 31:30 – Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
- Colossians 3:18 – Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
- Ephesians 5:22-24 – Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
- Psalm 33:20-22 – We put our hope in the Lord; He is our help and shield.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that faith should shape how we live at home, not just how we act in public. For wives, it’s an encouragement to live with respect, kindness, and trust in God in their marriage.
For all Christians, it shows that real strength is found in humility, service, and faith—not in outward appearance or control.
This verse also reminds today’s believers that they are part of a long line of people who have trusted God and lived differently because of it.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse shows that God cares about relationships. He wants peace, order, and love in the home. God loves His people enough to give them a way to live that honors Him and blesses others.
It also shows that God values the quiet strength of those who trust Him. He is pleased when His people live in ways that reflect His kindness, humility, and love.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus lived a life of submission—not in weakness, but in strength. He submitted to His Father’s will, even when it led to the cross (Luke 22:42). He humbled Himself and served others (Philippians 2:5-8).
Peter’s teaching here reflects the heart of Christ: living with humility, love, and trust in God. The gentle and respectful attitude Peter calls for in marriage reflects how Jesus lived and loved.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think Peter points to the example of holy women from the past?
- What does it mean to “put your hope in God” in marriage and family life?
- How is biblical submission different from what the world thinks submission means?
- How can both husbands and wives show humility, respect, and trust in their relationship?
- In what ways does Jesus’ example of submission and humility help us understand this verse?