John Calvin Commentary 1 Peter 3:6

"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." — 1 Peter 3:6 (ASV)

He sets before them the example of pious women, who sought spiritual adorning rather than outward, showy and superficial ornaments. But he mentions Sarah above all others, who, having been the mother of all the faithful, is especially worthy of honor and imitation by women.

Moreover, he returns to the topic of subjection and confirms it by the example of Sarah, who, according to the words of Moses, called her husband Lord (Genesis 18:12). God, indeed, does not regard such titles; it may sometimes happen that an especially irritable and disobedient woman might use such a word with her tongue. But Peter means that Sarah usually spoke this way because she knew the Lord had commanded her to be subject to her husband. Peter adds that those who imitated her faithfulness would be her daughters, that is, counted among the faithful.

And are not afraid: the particular frailty of their sex can cause women to be suspicious and timid, and therefore sullen, because they fear that through their subjection, they might be treated with greater disrespect.

Peter seems to have had this in mind when he forbade them to be disturbed by any fear, as if he had said, “Willingly submit to the authority of your husbands, nor let fear prevent your obedience, as if your condition would be worse if you were to obey.”

Alternatively, the words may be more general: “Let them not cause disturbances at home.” For since they are easily frightened, they often exaggerate small matters and thus disturb themselves and the family.

Others think that the timidity of women, which is contrary to faith, is generally rebuked here, as though Peter were exhorting them to perform the duties of their calling with a courageous and fearless spirit. However, the first explanation is what I prefer, though the last does not differ much from it.