1 Likewise, you wives, submit to your own husbands; in order that, even if any are disobedient to the word, they may without the word be gained through the conversation of the wives;
2 Having beheld your chaste conversation in reverence.
3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward one of plaiting the hair, and of putting around (putting coronets, bracelets, &c., round the head, arms,
7c.) of gold [ornaments], or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man (the inward man of Rom. 7:22. 2 Cor. 4:16. Eph. 3:16) of the heart, in the incorruptible ornaments, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit (see 1 Tim. 2:2), which is in the sight of God of great price. (See 1 Tim. 2:9.)
5 For thus once the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
6 As Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children you are become, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with no terror.
7 Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them (your wives) according to knowledge (God's knowledge, back to the beginning in Genesis), dispensing honor (this is the wife's daily portion) to the wife, as to the female vessel is weaker (you protect it. You give her what she wants and she will give you what you want), and as being heirs together (see Rom. 8:17) of the grace of life; (She gets equal part.)
to the end that your prayers be not hindered. (See Acts 24:4. Do not nit-pick.)
8 Finally, be you all of one mind (cp. Rom. 12:16; 15:5. 2 Cor. 13:11. Phil. 2:2; 3:16; 4:2), having compassion one of another (sympathetic), loving as brethren (Gr. philadelphia), be tender-hearted, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing (see 1 Tim. 5:14. Cp. 2:23. 1 Cor. 5:11): but contrariwise blessing (see 2 Cor. 2:7); knowing that you were to this called, that you should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him cause to cease his tongue from evil, and his lips not to speak guile: (See 2:1,22.)
11 Let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (The reference in vv.10-12 is to Ps. 34:12-16.)
13 And who is he that will ill-treat you, if you become imitators of that which is good? (No one! We have power over all our enemies.)
14 But and if you suffer on account of righteousness, happy are you: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify (i.e. separate.Give Him His right place) the Lord God in your hearts: (quoted from Isa. 8:12,13) and be ready always for an answer to every man that asks you an account concerning the hope that is in you with meekness (see Jas. 1:21. Cp. v.4.) and reverence: (With reverence and meekness, we should always be ready to testify of the hope, Jesus Christ, that is in us.)
16 Having a good conscience (see Acts 23:1); that, in what they speak evil (see Jas. 4:11) of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed (see 2:6) that calumniate (see Matt. 5:44. Luke 6:28) your good conversation in Christ.
G L e 3:17. Suffering according to the will of God.
f 3:18-. Christ's sufferings as to the flesh.
M 3:-18-22. Christ's triumph.
L f 4:1-. Christ's sufferings as to the flesh.
e 4:-1. The saint's sufferings as to the flesh.
M 4:2-6. The saint's new life.
17 For it is better, if the will of God should will, that you suffer as well doers, than as evil doers. (It is a badge of honor to suffer for well doing. The suffering you endure for the name of Jesus Christ will bring blessings upon blessings.)
18 For Christ also once suffered concerning sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in flesh,
M N g -18. The Resurrection of Christ.
h 19. His going to Tartarus.
k 20-. The insubjection of spirits in Noah's day.
O -20. Noah saved then.
O 21-. We saved now.
N g -21. The Resurrection of Christ.
h 22-. His going into heaven.
k -22. The subjection of angels.
but quickened (see Rom. 4:17) in spirit: (The reference is to the resurrection body, and the contrast is between His condition when He was put to death and when He rose from the dead. Jesus did nothing but good, and He suffered for you on the cross. Christ is just. We are the unjust. We are not worthy of God's gift of salvation to those who believe. That is why this gift may be considered free; however, don't ever forget there was an awesome price paid by Jesus Christ so you could enjoy this gift.)
19 In which [condition] having gone, He even heralded (not the Gospel. He announced His triumph) to the spirits in prison; (These were the angels of Gen. 6:2,4. See 2 Pet. 2:4 and Jude 6 which are considered together with this verse. God does not show favoritism towards some of His children over others. Soon after His crucifixion, Christ went to those that died before His blood made salvation, as we know it, available. Many believed and were brought to the Father.)
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing,
into which few, that is, eight [adamic] souls [entered and] were saved by water. (See Gen. 6:18,19. God loves all His children. Christ went to those who were on the wrong side of the gulf, and He preached to them affording them the opportunity for salvation that you and I have today.)
21 The like figure where-unto even baptism does now save you (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the inquiry (or seeking) of a good conscience (see Acts 23:1) toward God,)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who having gone into heaven, is on the right hand of God;
angels and authorities (cp. Eph. 1;21; 3:10; 6:12. Col. 2;10,15. Tit. 3:1) and powers being made subject to Him. (Cp. Matt. 24:29. Rom. 8:38. 1 Cor. 15:24. 2 Thess. 1:7. 2 Pet. 2:11. Jesus is at the right hand of God, and he is your advocate. God is fair. See 1 Pet. 4:5 for more documentation that Christ went to the dead.)