1 Peter 3

Summary

 

1 Peter 3 addresses relationships within marriages, encourages believers to respond to mistreatment with love and humility, and points to Christ's example in suffering for the sake of righteousness. The chapter emphasizes the transformative power of Christ's work and the importance of maintaining a good conscience before God.

 

1. Wives and Husbands (1 Peter 3:1-7): Peter addresses the relationship between wives and husbands. He encourages wives to be submissive to their husbands, emphasizing the importance of inner beauty and a gentle spirit. Husbands are urged to treat their wives with understanding and respect.
2. Suffering for Righteousness' Sake (1 Peter 3:8-17): Peter advises believers to be harmonious, sympathetic, compassionate, and humble, avoiding retaliation for wrongdoing. He stresses the blessing of suffering for righteousness' sake and encourages unwavering commitment to what is good.
3. Christ's Example in Suffering (1 Peter 3:18-22): Peter reflects on the redemptive work of Christ, highlighting how Jesus suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring people to God. He uses the imagery of Noah's Ark to illustrate the transformative power of baptism.
4. Conscience Toward God (1 Peter 3:21-22): Peter clarifies that baptism is not a mere washing of the body but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ, now seated at God's right hand, has authority over all.

 

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