Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Peter 3
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
1 Peter 3
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
1 Peter 3
"In like manner, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your won husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; beholding your chaste behavior [coupled] with fear." — 1 Peter 3:1-2 (ASV)
Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any do not obey the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Could any men be won to Christ without the Word? Yes, it was indeed so in the apostle's day. When they refused to attend the small Christian meetings that were being held, and so could not hear what was said there, yet, at home, they saw the change that the gospel of Christ had worked in their wives, and they said, "She is quite different from what she used to be. Certainly, she is a far better wife than any unbelieving woman is; there must be something in this religion that can make such a change as that." In this way, without the Word, many of them were won to Christ by the godly conduct of their wives.
"Whose [adorning] let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [apparel] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." — 1 Peter 3:3-4 (ASV)
There is no ornament like that. No taste can ever conceive anything so lovely as a holy character. No expensive materials, and no ingenious fashioning of them, can ever produce such true beauty as a meek and quiet spirit.
You must have known some godly matrons, venerable Christian women, whose gentle piety has blessed the whole household of which they formed a part. They attained supreme authority over all simply by yielding; they gained a queenly position in the house by gentleness and quietness. Nobody dared to offend them — not because they would have been angry, but because they were themselves so inoffensive, so kind, so gentle.
"For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with [your wives] according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered." — 1 Peter 3:5-7 (ASV)
It has been one of the most beautiful results of the spread of the Christian religion that it has uplifted womanhood; so that now, instead of women being, as they were, and still are where the gospel is not received, the slaves of their husbands, Christianity has taught that honour should be given to the wife. If there are any husbands who do not do so, they err from the gospel way.
"Finally, [be] ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:" — 1 Peter 3:8 (ASV)
Finally, be you all of one mind,
Be unanimous; do not hold church meetings to talk about nothing, and so quarrel for lack of something to do. Be united with the resolve that you will glorify God, and that there shall be no dissension, no division among you: Be you all of one mind,
Having compassion one of another,
Have true fellow-feeling towards each other.
Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
The Christian should be the highest type of gentleman, in every respect the most gentle man, kind, self-forgetful, seeking the comfort and well-being of others to the utmost of his power.
"not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing." — 1 Peter 3:9 (ASV)
Not rendering evil for evil, –
That is beastlike; it is certainly not the rule for a Christian.
Good for evil is Godlike; and you, who are the children of God, should seek to act as he does: not rendering evil for evil, –
Or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Every man should give away according to what he has. He who gives curses probably gives them because he has so much cursing in him. You can always tell what a man is like by noticing what comes from him. If he curses, it is because curses abound in him. But you are to give blessing to others because you have inherited so much blessing from Christ; your whole tone, temper, spirit, language, action should be the means of blessing to others.
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