1 Peter 3

Bible Study1 Peter

Apr 13

Written By Jen

It’s our third week in 1 Peter and we’ll be studying Chapter 3! In this chapter, Peter continues to address different aspects of living out our faith, especially in the midst of suffering.

Consider reading through all of Chapter 3 at least once at the beginning of your study. I think it’s important to take time to read the entire chapter in one sitting so that you can get a proper feel for the big picture, before you dig in to try and understand what God is speaking directly into your life. Perhaps your time in 1 Peter 3 this week could look something like this:

Day 1: 1 Peter 3
Day 2: 1 Peter 3:1-7
Day 3: 1 Peter 3:8-12
Day 4: 1 Peter 3:13-17
Day 5: 1 Peter 3:18-22

As you prepare for studying 1 Peter 3 this week, spend some time in prayer, talking to God and asking Him to speak to your heart as you read His Word and dig into this chapter. Through the rest of this post, you will find each section of the chapter and some study notes and questions to help you process what you are reading and will hopefully challenge you in your personal relationship with Jesus and how you live out your faith in Him in daily life.

1 Peter 3:1-7

In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live when they observe your pure, reverent lives. Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, but rather what is inside the heart—the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.

Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Sometimes when we read parts of the Bible that are speaking directly to a specific audience, and we don’t fit into that audience, it can be easy to dismiss what is written there, or feel like it is not practical or purposeful for us where we are currently at in life. For those of you who are young women that are not yet married - don’t dismiss what Peter has written here to “wives” - allow these words to be spoken into your hearts as you evaluate how to live out your own faith and how that faith is shown to other people around you. And for the guys - consider how you see your siblings or friends who are girls - do they fit the description that Peter is listing here? If you are old enough to be thinking about marriage - is this the type of woman that you are pursuing?

Most often when we hear the word ‘submit’ we think of it in a negative way. But submission does not mean that we lose our independence or freedom as an individual. Thinking about this biblical context, what does it mean to ‘submit’ to someone else?

When Peter says that a woman’s beauty should not consist of outward things, does he really mean that women should never wear jewelry or nice clothes? My encouragement to you as you read and process this passage is to consider the context and the bigger goal. Peter is encouraging women to live “pure, reverent lives” and to have a “gentle and quiet spirit” - What does this look like for you right now? Do you feel that you hold these characteristics? If so, thank God for the work he has and is continuing to do in your life! If not, what do you need to change in order to become more like this?

My encouragement to you is to spend some intentional time evaluating this passage against your own life - your current situation, or your dreams for the future.

1 Peter 3:8-12

Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

For the one who wants to love life
and to see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit,
and let him turn away from evil
and do what is good.
Let him seek peace and pursue it,
because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.

Have you ever felt completely misunderstood? That’s something that I have been wrestling with in recent weeks. So this passage really struck my heart in a new way. What does it look like to live with true humility and compassion with other believers? Especially when you don’t always agree in life?

Look up the definitions of the following words and write out their meaning in your own words:

like-minded -
sympathetic -
compassionate -
humble -
blessing -

Many times we see authors in the New Testament (like Peter) reference Old Testament writings. Sometimes it is worth reading through the context of that original passage. Here we see Peter reference Psalm 34. Take time to read through Psalm 34. How does this portion of Psalm 34 (verses 12:16) impact or compliment what Peter was saying about how we should interact with others?

Spend time in prayer over your relationships with other believers - friends, people in your small group, other people you connect with on a team where you serve or participate. Ask God to show you how you can put these verses into practice, even during a time of social separation.

1 Peter 3:13-17

Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone where you felt like you had to defend your faith - perhaps someone has questioned why you believe what you believe or has asked you some really hard questions about what is in the Bible. I think Peter has given us some really clear instructions and encouragement in this passage for how to be prepared for those times when people will ask us about our faith!

Take time to write out your statement of faith. Think about your personal relationship with Jesus - why is He important to you? What do you believe about Him? How does your understanding of who He is and your personal relationship with Him make a difference in your life?

Now that you have written your personal statement of faith, read through 1 Peter 3:13-17 again. Your statement of faith is what Peter is referring to as "the hope that is in you.” Consider placing this statement of faith somewhere that you will see it often - maybe you want to put it on a sticky note and place it on a mirror in your room or bathroom or get creative and turn it into a photo that you can set as the lock screen on your phone. The more often that you read through and memorize your “statement of faith,” the more prepared you will be to “give an answer” for the hope that you have!

What is your attitude when talking about your faith or thinking about having someone ask you about your faith? Do you often feel scared or afraid? Maybe you aren’t sure exactly what questions will be asked, so you’re not sure how to be properly prepared. Or perhaps sometimes it can feel like people are asking with a really judgmental tone or trying to make fun of you and other Christians. Do you think your first reaction would be gentleness and respect?

Look up Matthew 10:19 - How does this compliment 1 Peter 3:15?

Spend time in prayer today reflecting on the character of God and the blessing of your personal walk with Him because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in your life. Ask God to start preparing your heart now for those future conversations.

1 Peter 3:18-22

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people—were saved through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

At the end of 1 Peter 3, we see Peter wrapping up his discussion about suffering by reminding us of Christ’s example. Don’t take this lightly! Christ did an amazing thing - someone who lived a life without any sin - took our punishment for sin and died a real death, but then rose again in a very real way! As we’ve been diving deep into 1 Peter 3, we have talked a lot about personal faith and living that out.

In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter brings up the subject of baptism. It’s important to note that, as Peter explains, baptism is not something that brings salvation (saving us from the necessary punishment for our sins). Rather, baptism is an acknowledgement of our understanding that Christ died to take that punishment and we are saved from that because Jesus came to live again and is now living in Heaven!

Have you ever been baptized? If so, why did you decide to be baptized? How has your baptism made a difference in your life?

If you have not been baptized - what is holding you back? What next steps do you need to take in order to pursue getting baptized?

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