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1 Peter Chapter Three

1 Peter 3

Chapter Contents

The duties of wives and husbands. (1-7) Christians exhorted to agree. (8-13) And encouraged to patience under persecutions for righteousness' sake, considering that Christ suffered patiently. (14-22)

Commentary on 1 Peter 3:1-7

(Read 1 Peter 3:1-7)

The wife must discharge her duty to her own husband, though he obey not the word. We daily see how narrowly evil men watch the ways and lives of professors of religion. Putting on of apparel is not forbidden, but vanity and costliness in ornament. Religious people should take care that all their behaviour answers to their profession. But how few know the right measure and bounds of those two necessaries of life, food and raiment! Unless poverty is our carver, and cuts us short, there is scarcely any one who does not desire something beyond what is good for us. Far more are beholden to the lowliness of their state, than the lowliness of their mind; and many will not be so bounded, but lavish their time and money upon trifles. The apostle directs Christian females to put on something not corruptible, that beautifies the soul, even the graces of God's Holy Spirit. A true Christian's chief care lies in right ordering his own spirit. This will do more to fix the affections, and excite the esteem of a husband, than studied ornaments or fashionable apparel, attended by a froward and quarrelsome temper. Christians ought to do their duty to one another, from a willing mind, and in obedience to the command of God. Wives should be subject to their husbands, not from dread and amazement, but from desire to do well, and please God. The husband's duty to the wife implies giving due respect unto her, and maintaining her authority, protecting her, and placing trust in her. They are heirs together of all the blessings of this life and that which is to come, and should live peaceably one with another. Prayer sweetens their converse. And it is not enough that they pray with the family, but husband and wife together by themselves, and with their children. Those who are acquainted with prayer, find such unspeakable sweetness in it, that they will not be hindered therein. That you may pray much, live holily; and that you may live holily, be much in prayer.

Commentary on 1 Peter 3:8-13

(Read 1 Peter 3:8-13)

Though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet they should have compassion one of another, and love as brethren. If any man desires to live comfortably on earth, or to possess eternal life in heaven, he must bridle his tongue from wicked, abusive, or deceitful words. He must forsake and keep far from evil actions, do all the good he can, and seek peace with all men. For God, all-wise and every where present, watches over the righteous, and takes care of them. None could or should harm those who copied the example of Christ, who is perfect goodness, and did good to others as his followers.

Commentary on 1 Peter 3:14-22

(Read 1 Peter 3:14-22)

We sanctify God before others, when our conduct invites and encourages them to glorify and honour him. What was the ground and reason of their hope? We should be able to defend our religion with meekness, in the fear of God. There is no room for any other fears where this great fear is; it disturbs not. The conscience is good, when it does its office well. That person is in a sad condition on whom sin and suffering meet: sin makes suffering extreme, comfortless, and destructive. Surely it is better to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing, whatever our natural impatience at times may suggest. The example of Christ is an argument for patience under sufferings. In the case of our Lord's suffering, he that knew no sin, suffered instead of those who knew no righteousness. The blessed end and design of our Lord's sufferings were, to reconcile us to God, and to bring us to eternal glory. He was put to death in respect of his human nature, but was quickened and raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. If Christ could not be freed from sufferings, why should Christians think to be so? God takes exact notice of the means and advantages people in all ages have had. As to the old world, Christ sent his Spirit; gave warning by Noah. But though the patience of God waits long, it will cease at last. And the spirits of disobedient sinners, as soon as they are out of their bodies, are committed to the prison of hell, where those that despised Noah's warning now are, and from whence there is no redemption. Noah's salvation in the ark upon the water, which carried him above the floods, set forth the salvation of all true believers. That temporal salvation by the ark was a type of the eternal salvation of believers by baptism of the Holy Spirit. To prevent mistakes, the apostle declares what he means by saving baptism; not the outward ceremony of washing with water, which, in itself, does no more than put away the filth of the flesh, but that baptism, of which the baptismal water formed the sign. Not the outward ordinance, but when a man, by the regeneration of the Spirit, was enabled to repent and profess faith, and purpose a new life, uprightly, and as in the presence of God. Let us beware that we rest not upon outward forms. Let us learn to look on the ordinances of God spiritually, and to inquire after the spiritual effect and working of them on our consciences. We would willingly have all religion reduced to outward things. But many who were baptized, and constantly attended the ordinances, have remained without Christ, died in their sins, and are now past recovery. Rest not then till thou art cleansed by the Spirit of Christ and the blood of Christ. His resurrection from the dead is that whereby we are assured of purifying and peace.

── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 1 Peter》

1 Peter 3

Verse 1

[1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

If any — He speaks tenderly.

Won — Gained over to Christ.

Verse 2

[2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Joined with a loving fear of displeasing them.

Verse 3

[3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

Three things are here expressly forbidden: curling the hair, wearing gold, (by way of ornament,) and putting on costly or gay apparel. These, therefore, ought never to be allowed, much less defended, by Christians.

Verse 4

[4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

The hidden man of the heart — Complete inward holiness, which implies a meek and quiet spirit. A meek spirit gives no trouble willingly to any: a quiet spirit bears all wrongs without being troubled.

In the sight of God — Who looks at the heart. All superfluity of dress contributes more to pride and anger than is generally supposed. The apostle seems to have his eye to this by substituting meekness and quietness in the room of the ornaments he forbids. "I do not regard these things," is often said by those whose hearts are wrapped up in them: but offer to take them away, and you touch the very idol of their soul. Some, indeed only dress elegantly that they may be looked on; that is, they squander away their Lord's talent to gain applause: thus making sin to beget sin, and then plead one in excuse of the other.

Verse 5

[5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

The adorning of those holy women, who trusted in God, and therefore did not act thus from servile fear, was, 1. Their meek subjection to their husbands: 2. Their quiet spirit, "not afraid," or amazed: and 3. Their unblamable behaviour, "doing" all things "well."

Verse 6

[6] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Whose children ye are — In a spiritual as well as natural sense, and entitled to the same inheritance, while ye discharge your conjugal duties, not out of fear, but for conscience' sake. Genesis 18:12.

Verse 7

[7] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Dwell with the woman according to knowledge — Knowing they are weak, and therefore to be used with all tenderness. Yet do not despise them for this, but give them honour - Both in heart, in word, and in action; as those who are called to be joint-heirs of that eternal life which ye and they hope to receive by the free grace of God.

That your prayers be not hindered — On the one part or the other. All sin hinders prayer; particularly anger. Anything at which we are angry is never more apt to come into our mind than when we are at prayer; and those who do not forgive will find no forgiveness from God.

Verse 8

[8] Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Finally — This part of the epistle reaches to 1 Peter 4:11. The apostle seems to have added the rest afterwards.

Sympathizing — Rejoicing and sorrowing together. Love all believers as brethren. Be pitiful - Toward the afflicted.

Be courteous — To all men. Courtesy is such a behaviour toward equals and inferiors as shows respect mixed with love.

Verse 9

[9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Ye are called to inherit a blessing — Therefore their railing cannot hurt you; and, by blessing them, you imitate God, who blesses you.

Verse 10

[10] For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

For he that desireth to love life, and to see good days — That would make life amiable and desirable. Psalms 34:12, etc.

Verse 11

[11] Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Let him seek — To live peaceably with all men.

And pursue it — Even when it seems to flee from him.

Verse 12

[12] For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous — For good. Anger appears in the whole face; love, chiefly in the eyes.

Verse 13

[13] And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

Who is he that will harm you — None can.

Verse 14

[14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

But if ye should suffer - This is no harm to you, but a good.

Fear ye not their fear — The very words of the Septuagint, Isaiah 8:12,13. Let not that fear be in you which the wicked feel.

Verse 15

[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts — Have an holy fear, and a full trust in his wise providence.

The hope — Of eternal life.

With meekness — For anger would hurt your cause as well as your soul.

And fear — A filial fear of offending God, and a jealousy over yourselves, lest ye speak amiss.

Verse 16

[16] Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Having a good conscience — So much the more beware of anger, to which the very consciousness of your innocence may betray you. Join with a good conscience meekness and fear, and you obtain a complete victory.

Your good conversation in Christ — That is, which flows from faith in him.

Verse 17

[17] For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

It is infinitely better, if it be the will of God, ye should suffer. His permissive will appears from his providence.

Verse 18

[18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

For — This is undoubtedly best, whereby we are most conformed to Christ. Now Christ suffered once - To suffer no more.

For sins — Not his own, but ours.

The just for the unjust — The word signifies, not only them who have wronged their neighbours, but those who have transgressed any of the commands of God; as the preceding word, just, denotes a person who has fulfilled, not barely social duties, but all kind of righteousness.

That he might bring us to God — Now to his gracious favour, hereafter to his blissful presence, by the same steps of suffering and of glory.

Being put to death in the flesh — As man.

But raised to life by the Spirit — Both by his own divine power, and by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Verse 19

[19] By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

By which Spirit he preached - Through the ministry of Noah.

To the spirits in prison — The unholy men before the flood, who were then reserved by the justice of God, as in a prison, till he executed the sentence upon them all; and are now also reserved to the judgment of the great day.

Verse 20

[20] Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

When the longsuffering of God waited — For an hundred and twenty years; all the time the ark was preparing: during which Noah warned them all to flee from the wrath to come.

Verse 21

[21] The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The antitype whereof — The thing typified by the ark, even baptism, now saveth us - That is, through the water of baptism we are saved from the sin which overwhelms the world as a flood: not, indeed, the bare outward sign, but the inward grace; a divine consciousness that both our persons and our actions are accepted through him who died and rose again for us.

Verse 22

[22] Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Angels and authorities and powers — That is, all orders both of angels and men.

── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 1 Peter》

1 Pet. 3:7

“Weaker” is a comparative term. In this passage, if the wife is “weaker,” then the husband is “weak.” This observation hits the nail on the head: an arch is a strength built out of two opposing weaknesses. And that is the secret of a strong and lasting marriage.

Chapter 3. Treatment Between Wives and Husbands

Gentle and Quiet
Worthy Beauty

I. Harmony between Wives and Husbands

1. Submission to Husbands
2. Respect Wives
3. Love as Brothers

II. Blessed Are Those Who Suffer for What Is Right

1. Don't Be Frightened
2. Set Apart Christ as Lord
3. Keep a Clear Conscience

III. The Example of Suffering Christ

1. Die for Sin
2. Substitute the Unrighteous
3. Bring to God

── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》

 
Chapter Three General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To examine the duties of wives and husbands to each other
 
2) To consider the duties that we have to one another as brethren in
 Christ
 
3) To see how one should prepare for persecution, motivated by the
 example of Christ
 
4) To note how and in what way baptism now saves us
 
SUMMARY
 
Peter continues to describe the duties of Christians living as
sojourners and pilgrims in this world. He counsels wives to be
submissive to their husbands and to focus their adornment on the
development of a meek and quiet spirit, like the holy women in the past
who trusted in God (such as Sarah). For those whose husbands are not
believers, their chaste and respectful conduct may influence them to
respond to the gospel. Husbands are then instructed to live with their
wives in an understanding way, honoring them as the weaker vessel and as
fellow heirs of the grace of life. Such treatment would ensure that
their prayers were not hindered (1-7).
 
Duties toward brethren are then summarized, stressing unity, compassion,
love, kindness, and simple courtesy. When mistreated by brethren, the
proper response is to extend a blessing, for to such conduct we were
called, that we might inherit a blessing. As motivation for such
conduct, Peter quotes Psalms 34:12-16 which offers advice to loving life
and seeing good days. The key is to turn from evil and do good, to seek
peace and pursue it. Those who do so have the assurance that the Lord
watches over them and hears their prayers (8-12).
 
Peter then turns to the theme of suffering for righteousness' sake. In
most circumstances, no one will harm you for doing good. If one suffers
for doing good, they are blessed (cf. 2:19-20; 4:14). To prepare for
persecution, one should sanctify the Lord God in their heart and be
ready to meekly provide the reason for their hope. With clear
conscience and good conduct, those who defame and revile them will
likely be ashamed. If it is God's will that they suffer, let it be for
doing good and not evil (13-17).
 
To appreciate how suffering for righteousness' sake can be for good,
Peter relates how Jesus suffered for our sins. Though put to death in
the flesh, Jesus was made alive by the Spirit (cf. Ro 1:4), in which He
preached to spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah,
and ultimately exalted at the right hand of God with angels, authorities
and powers made subject to Him. Alluding to the example of Noah's
salvation, Peter says baptism now saves us as an appeal for a good
conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (18-22).
 
 
OUTLINE
 
I. OUR DUTIES AS WIVES AND HUSBANDS (1-7)
 
 A. THE DUTIES OF WIVES (1-6)
 1. Be submissive to your husbands
 a. That you might win those who are not believers
 b. As they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear
 2. Adorn yourselves properly
 a. Not merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold,
 putting on of fine apparel
 b. With the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
  precious in God's sight
 c. As holy women in the past who trusted God
 1) Adorned themselves
 2) Submitted to their husbands
 d. As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord
 1) Whose daughters you are
  2) If you do good, not afraid with any terror
 
 B. THE DUTIES OF HUSBANDS (7)
 1. Dwell with your wives with understanding
 2. Give honor to your wives
 a. As to the weaker vessel
 b. As being heirs together of the grace of life
 c. So your prayers may not be hindered
 
II. OUR DUTIES AS BRETHREN (8-12)
 
 A. OUR DUTIES TO EACH OTHER (8-9)
 1. Be of one mind
 2. Have compassion for one another
 3. Love one another as brethren
 4. Tenderhearted, courteous
 5. Not returning evil for evil, or reviling for reviling
 a. On the contrary, respond with a blessing
 b. Knowing that you were called to this, that you might inherit
 a blessing
 
 B. MOTIVATION TO FULFILL SUCH DUTIES (10-12)
 1. If you would love life and see good days
 a. Refrain your tongue from evil and lips from speaking deceit
 b. Turn from evil and do good
 c. Seek peace and pursue it
 2. If you would desire the Lord's favor
 a. For His eyes are on the righteous
 b. For His ears are open to their prayers
 c. But His face is against those who do evil
 
III. OUR DUTIES AS SUFFERERS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE (13-22)
 
 A. THINGS TO REMEMBER (13-17)
 1. Who will harm you if you do what is good?
 a. Even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are
 blessed
 b. So don't be afraid of threats, nor be troubled
 2. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts
 3. Always be ready to give a defense
 a. To everyone who asks
 b. For a reason for the hope that is in your
 c. With meekness and fear
 4. Maintain a good conscience
 a. That when others may defame you as evildoers
 b. Those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed
 5. It is better, if it is the will of God...
 a. To suffer for doing good
 b. Than to suffer for doing evil
 
 B. REASONS TO REMEMBER (18-22)
 1. Christ also suffered once for sins
 a. The just for the unjust
 b. That He might bring us to God
 2. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit
 a. By whom He went and preached to the spirits in prison who
 were formerly disobedient
 1) During the longsuffering of God
 2) In the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared
 a) In which eight souls were saved through water
 b) Which was a type of baptism which now saves us
 1] Not the removal of the filth of the flesh
 2] But the answer of a good conscience toward God
 3] Through the resurrection of Christ
 b. Who has gone in to heaven
 1) And is at the right hand of God
 2) Where angels, authorities, and powers have been made
 subject to Him
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Our duties as wives and husbands (1-7)
 - Our duties as brethren (8-12)
 - Our duties as sufferers for righteousness' sake (13-22)
 
2) What are wives told to be in regards to their husbands? Why? (1)
 - Submissive; to convert those husbands who are not yet Christians
 
3) What does Peter hope the unbelieving husbands will observe in their
 wives? (2)
 - Their chaste conduct accompanied by fear
 
4) What should not be the focus of their adornment? (3)
 - That which is outward: arranging the hair, wearing gold, their
 apparel
 
5) What should be the focus of their adornment (4)
 - The hidden person of the heart: the incorruptible beauty of a
 gentle and quiet spirit
 
6) What other women so adorned themselves and were submissive to their
 husbands? (5-6)
 - Holy women of God in the past who trusted in God; specifically,
 Sarah
 
7) How are husbands to treat their wives? (7)
 - With understanding and honor
 - As to the weaker vessel
 - As heirs together of the grace of life
 
8) Why should husbands treat their wives so kindly? (7)
  - That their prayers not be hindered
 
9) What duties do we as brethren have to one another? (8)
 - To be of one mind
 - To have compassion for one another and love as brethren
 - To be tenderhearted, courteous
 
10) How are we to respond when mistreated by brethren? Why? (9)
 - With blessing; we were called to so respond, that we may inherit a
 blessing
 
11) What proscription is offered for those who would love life and see
 good days? (10-11)
 - Refrain the tongue from evil, the lips from speaking deceit
 - Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it
 
12) What is said of the righteous? Of those who do evil? (12)
 - The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open
 to their prayers
 - The face of the Lord is against those who do evil
 
13) What is the general principle regarding persecution? (13)
 - If you do good, you will not be harmed
 
14) What is said of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake?
 (14)
 - They are blessed
 
15) How should one prepare themselves for possible persecution? (15-16)
 - Sanctify the Lord God in your heart
 - Be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for
 your hope
 - Have a good conscience
 
16) If we maintain good conduct, what will happen to those who defame
 and revile us? (16)
 - They will be ashamed
 
17) If we suffer according to God's will, what is better? (17)
 - To suffer for doing good than for doing evil
 
18) Who also suffered for righteousness' sake? For what reason? (18)
 - Christ, the just for the unjust
 - For sins, that He might bring us to God
 
19) Though put to death in the flesh, what was He able to do by the
 Spirit? (18-19)
 - Preach to the spirits in prison
 
20) When were such "spirits" disobedient? (20)
 - In the days of Noah, during the longsuffering of God
 - While the ark was preparing
 
21) Of what is the salvation of eight souls through water a "type"? (21)
 - Baptism which now saves us
 
22) How does baptism not save us? How does it save us? (21)
 - Not by the removal of the filth of the flesh
 - As the answer (or plea) of a good conscience toward God, through
 the resurrection of Jesus
 
23) What was the final outcome of Jesus who suffered for righteousness'
 sake? (22)
  - He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God
 - Angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to Him

Our Duties As Wives And Husbands (3:1-7)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In this study of 1st Peter, we are seeing that God teaches the 
 Christian how to conduct himself in all relations of life
 a. BEFORE GOD, he is to be holy, even as God is holy - 1 Pe 1:14-16
 b. BEFORE THE WORLD, he is to live an honorable life, one filled 
 with good works - 1 Pe 2:11-12
 c. AS A CITIZEN, he is to submit to civil authorities - 1 Pe 2:13-17
 d. AS A SERVANT, he is to do good, even it means to suffer patiently
 the mistreatment of others - 1 Pe 2:18-25
 
2. As we come to chapter three, we find there are also certain 
 responsibilities in our relations as husbands and wives - 1 Pe 3:1-7
 
3. In a society where "dysfunctional families" seem to be the norm, it
 is even more imperative that the people of God demonstrate through 
 their families that which is the will of God, and is "honorable" 
 (good, beautiful to behold) conduct
 
[Our text goes a long way in describing the sort of conduct that is 
"honorable" for wives and husbands, beginning with...]
 
I. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE WIVES
 
 A. BE SUBMISSIVE TO YOUR HUSBANDS (1-2)
 1. The word "likewise" refers back to the discussion in the 
 previous chapter
 a. In which the principle of submission has already been 
 applied to:
 1) Our responsibility to governmental authorities
 2) The servant's relationship to his master
 b. This would suggest that the same principles discussed 
 earlier hold true to wives in their relationship with 
 husbands
 1) I.e., to submit not only to the good, but also to the 
 harsh - cf. 1 Pe 2:18
 2) That if a wife suffers wrong from her husband when she 
 was doing good, it is commendable before God if she bear
 that mistreatment patiently - cf. 1 Pe 2:19
 2. The value of submission is best illustrated in the case where 
 a Christian wife is married to an unbeliever
 a. He might be converted by her "conduct"
 1) Even though he might not have previously obeyed "the" 
 word (the gospel)...
 2) Without "a" word (persistent nagging), he may be reached
 by her conduct!
 b. The type of "conduct" likely to have that effect is 
 described as:
 1) "chaste" - that is, purity in all manner of life
 2) "accompanied by fear" - that is, reverence; which in 
 this case...
 a) Is manifested toward the husband
 b) And is an attitude consistent with the principle of 
 "submission"
 3. So the first duty of wives as outlined by Peter is that of 
 "submission", especially if the husband is an unbeliever
 
 B. ADORN YOURSELVES PROPERLY (3-4)
 1. It is likely that Peter's comments are in the form of a 
  "Hebraism"
 a. I.e., a Hebrew idiom (form of speech) commonly found in the
 Scriptures
 b. In this case, there is a contrast ("not this...but this") 
 for the sake of emphasis
 c. A good example of this is found in Jn 6:27
 1) Jesus is not saying that it is wrong to work so we can 
 eat
 2) But that our priority in life should be to have 
 everlasting life
 2. A similar emphasis by way of contrast is being made by Peter
 a. I.e., don't let your emphasis on "beauty" pertain to 
 outward adornment
 b. Not that is always wrong to arrange the hair, wear gold, or
 put on apparel
 c. But place your emphasis elsewhere!
 3. Let your beauty be "the hidden person of the heart"
 a. Conduct yourself so that beauty of the "inner person" 
 shines forth
 b. Where people notice more "who" you are rather than "what" 
 you wear!
 4. It is a "gentle and quite spirit" that constitutes true inner
 beauty
 a. Unlike hair, gold, and apparel, it is incorruptible! - cf. 
 2 Co 4:16
 b. It is also very precious in the sight of God - cf. Isa 
 66:1-2
 5. So Christian women, let your inner beauty be your most 
 noticeable feature!
 a. Without inner beauty, any outward beauty is like a ring of
 gold in the nose of a pig! - Pro 11:22
 b. Parents, are we teaching this truth (by word and example) 
 to our daughters?
 
 C. BE "DAUGHTERS OF SARAH" (5-6)
 1. Remember, the holy women in the Old Testament who trusted in 
 God...
 a. Adorned themselves with a gentle and quiet spirit
  b. Were submissive to their husbands
 2. A case in point is that of Sarah:
 a. Who was so beautiful outwardly...
 1) That Pharaoh wanted her when she was over 65 years old
 2) That the king of the Philistines wanted her when she was
 over 90 years old, and long past the age of childbearing
 b. Yet her true beauty was demonstrated by her submissive
 spirit (calling her husband "lord")
 3. Christian women can become the "daughters of Sarah," provided
 they...
 a. "do good" (be submissive to their husbands)
 b. "are not afraid of any terror" (composed with a gentle and 
 quiet spirit)
 
[To be considered a "daughter of Sarah" by God would be a very special
honor! It can be had by any woman who heeds the words of the apostle 
Peter.
 
But a failure to heed these words will result in being more like a 
"daughter of Jezebel." Remember, she delighted in her physical beauty 
and in manipulating her husband.  May such never be true of women 
professing godliness and wearing the name of Christ!
 
Peter's instructions to husbands are brief, but nonetheless extremely 
important...]
 
II. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE HUSBANDS
 
 A. DWELL WITH YOUR WIVES "WITH UNDERSTANDING"...
 1. The KJV says "with knowledge"
 2. Husbands are expected to know, and understand...
 a. Their responsibilities in marriage - e.g., Ep 5:25
 b. The nature of women, as "weaker vessels"
 1) Refers to physical strength
 2) Not to intellectual abilities, moral courage, or 
 spiritual strength
 3. Such understanding is to govern how the husband lives with his
 wife -- with love and thoughtfulness
 
 B. "GIVE HONOR" TO THE WIFE...
 1. The word "give" means "to assign"
 2. "honor" involves the idea of that which is "precious, of high 
 value"
 3. So the husband is to assign to his wife the honor of being 
 precious and of high value in his sight
 4. A good reason to consider our wives in such light: they are 
 truly "heirs together of the grace of life"
 5. I.e., sisters in Christ, and therefore worthy of the respect 
 we give any other child of God!
 
 C. "THAT YOUR PRAYERS MAY NOT BE HINDERED"...
 1. Here is good reason to heed Peter's instruction!
 2. The word "hindered" literally means "cut off"
 3. Thus the way we treat our wives may result in our access to 
 God being cut off!
 4. This is what happened to the O.T. priests who divorced their 
 wives - cf. Mal 2:13-14
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. We learn from Peter, then, that how we conduct ourselves as husbands
 and wives can have a bearing on our personal relationship with God
 a. If wives are to be considered "very precious in the sight of 
 God..."
 b. If husbands are to keep open the avenue of their prayers to 
 God...
 -- Then we must apply the principles in this passage (1 Pe 3:1-7)
 to our lives!
 
2. If we do, then we all can be "heirs together of the grace of life!"
 
Speaking of being heirs of the grace of life, do you know one can 
become such an heir? - cf. Ti 3:3-7

Our Duties To Each Other (3:8-12)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. So far in his epistle, Peter has defined the Christian's duties in 
 various relationships...
 a. Our duty in relation to those of the world - 1 Pe 2:11-12
 b. Our duty in relation to governmental authorities - 1 Pe 2:13-17
 c. Our duty in a servant-master relationship - 1 Pe 2:18-25
 d. Our duty in wife-husband relationships - 1 Pe 3:1-7
 
2. Beginning now in verse 8 of the third chapter, Peter defines our
 duty to each other as brethren in Christ...
 
[Peter will provide motivation to fulfill our duties to one another in 
verses 10-12, but let's first consider what these duties are...]
 
I. OUR DUTIES TO EACH OTHER (8-9)
 
 A. TO "BE OF ONE MIND" (NASV, "harmonious")...
 1. That is, to be united in the same purpose, the same goal
 2. Jesus prayed for this kind of unity in Jn 17:20-21
  3. A church that demonstrated this "oneness of mind" is that of 
 Jerusalem - Ac 4:32
 4. How can we have this "oneness of mind"?
 a. It is attainable only to the extent that we all submit to 
 the will of God
 b. Therefore, we all need to make God's Will our will, His 
 Purpose our purpose
 c. Even as Christ did while on earth - cf. Jn 5:30
 
 B. TO HAVE "COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER" (NASV, "sympathetic")...
 1. This means to have pity, a feeling of distress toward the ills
 of others
 2. It is that disposition which is moved by the problems of 
 others (like sickness, hardships, etc.)
 3. This is the attitude manifested by Jesus...
 a. During His earthly ministry - Mt 9:35-36
 b. During His heavenly ministry - He 4:15
 4. Such compassion can only come from a tender, loving heart, 
 which may be why Peter goes on to say that we need...
 
 C. TO "LOVE AS BROTHERS"...
 1. Literally, this means to be "brother lovers"
 2. This attribute is essential, if we are to...
 a. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:
 7-8
 b. Convince the world that we are truly disciples of Jesus - 
  Jn 13:35
 3. Are you a "brother lover"? If not...
 a. You are not a lover of God, either! - 1 Jn 4:20
 b. You do not even know God! - 1 Jn 4:7-8
 4. Here is one way to know if you are a "brother lover"...
 a. Ask yourself this question: "Do I even know my brother?"
 b. If you don't, how can you honestly say that you are a 
 "brother lover"?
 
 D. TO "BE TENDERHEARTED" (NASV, "kindhearted")...
 1. It is this kind of heart that is compassionate, capable of 
 loving our brethren
 2. The opposite would be "cold-hearted", where we are insensitive
 to the needs and feelings of others
 3. Even if we start out as "cold-hearted", in Christ Jesus we can
 and must undergo a transformation, in which we develop a 
 "tender heart" - cf. Ep 4:22-24, 31-32; Co 3:8-10,12
 4. Have you considered what kind of heart you have?
 
 E. TO "BE COURTEOUS" (NASV, "humble in spirit")...
 1. Literally, to be "friendly of mind, kind"
 a. Such courtesy would imply a humility of spirit
 b. For an arrogant or proud spirit does not bother to be 
 courteous
 2. Christians are to imitate their Lord and Savior, and not think
 so highly of themselves that they cannot be kind and courteous
 to others - cf. Ph 2:3-5
 
 F. TO "RETURN BLESSING FOR EVIL"...
 1. When someone (e.g., a brother) does us evil, we are to respond
 with a blessing!
 2. While this may go against "human nature", Peter gives two 
 reasons why we are to react in this way:
 a. We are called to follow the example of Christ - cf. 1 Pe 
 3:9 with 1 Pe 2:21-23
 b. That we might receive a blessing from God - cf. Lk 6:35
 
[These are six duties that we have one toward another. They are part 
of what constitutes the Christ-like character that we are to develop as
His disciples.
 
Being saved, then, is not the end of God's plan for us; He would have 
us become like His Son (cf. Ro 8:29). To motivate us in fulfilling 
these duties, Peter quotes from the 34th Psalm...]
 
II. MOTIVATION TO FULFILL THESE DUTIES (10-12)
 
 A. THAT WE MIGHT "LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS"...
 1. Everyone wishes to enjoy life as they experience it from day 
 to day...
 a. But too often, many make their own lives miserable by their
 own self-seeking, self-destructive attitudes
 b. Constantly complaining, contentious, retaliating to evil 
 with evil, they only aggravate the situation
 2. But David in his psalm gives the secret to loving life and 
 seeing good days:
 a. Refrain the tongue from evil, and lips from speaking guile 
 - 1 Pe 3:10
 1) I.e., don't engage in slander, backbiting, complaining, 
 lying, murmuring, and grumbling
 2) It doesn't solve difficulties, but only makes them worse
 b. Do good, seek peace and pursue it - 1 Pe 3:11
 1) I.e., do the very kind of things mentioned by Peter in 
 1 Pe 3:8-9
 2) Only then will your life be pleasant, for the qualities 
 described by Peter...
 a) Make the best out of difficult situations
 b) Make good situations even better!
 
 B. SO THE LORD WILL BE OPEN TO US - 1 Pe 3:12
 1. Only by doing the will of God (as found in 1 Pe 3:8-9) can we
 ensure that...
 a. His gracious eyes will watch over us
 b. His ears will be open to our prayers
 2. On the other hand, the Lord's face is against those who do 
 evil, and will not hear their prayers
 3. Indeed, consider the list of abominations found in Pr 6:16-19
 and notice how many are the direct opposite of how we are to 
 be...
 a. We are to be courteous (humble) - but the Lord hates a 
 proud look!
 b. We are to be compassionate - but abusing the innocent is an
 abomination to the Lord!
 c. We are to be tender-hearted - but the Lord hates a cold 
 heart that thinks evil of others!
 d. We are to return good for evil - but those who respond 
 quickly with evil, the Lord abhors!
 e. We are to be of one mind - but if we sow discord by 
 murmuring and complaining, we are abominable in God's 
 sight!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. So if we want the Lord to watch over us, if we want Him to heed our 
 prayers, let us be sure to fulfill our duties to each other as 
 brethren as outlined by Peter in verses 8-9
 
2. In so doing, we will enjoy life to its fullest, and see many good 
 days during our pilgrimage here on earth!

Preparing For Persecution (3:13-18)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Having described the proper conduct of Christians in various
 relationships, Peter now turns more specifically to the subject of
 suffering
 
2. That the first recipients of this epistle were experiencing or would
 experience persecution is evident from 1:6; 4:12-19; 5:8-10
 
3. Now, under normal circumstances, what Peter writes in verse 13 is 
 the rule...
 
 "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what
 is good?"
 
4. But there are times when Satan will make every effort to bring harm
 to those who try to follow the will of God (remember Job?) - cf. 
 1 Pe 5:8-9; Re 12:17
 
5. How, then, should Christians prepare themselves so that they might 
 be victorious in overcoming whatever persecution might come their 
 way?
 
[In verses 14-18, we can glean at least five points in "Preparing For
Persecution"...]
 
I. REMEMBER, YOU ARE BLESSED IF YOU SUFFER FOR CHRIST (3:14,17)
 
 A. THIS TRUTH IS STRESSED TWICE BY PETER IN THIS EPISTLE...
 1. In our text - 1 Pe 3:14
 2. Even more definitively in 1 Pe 4:14
 a. Where he adds that the "Spirit of glory and of God rests 
 upon you"
 b. Those who suffer for the cause of Christ are fortunate, for
 God is with them
 
 B. THIS REINFORCES WHAT CHRIST TAUGHT...
 1. That those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are 
 blessed - Mt 5:10-12
 2. In this passage, two reasons are given for such blessedness:
 a. Your reward will be great in heaven
 b. You are in the company of God's prophets of old
 
 C. CERTAINLY YOU ARE BETTER OFF SUFFERING FOR CHRIST, THEN SUFFERING
 FOR EVIL...
 1. As Peter writes in 1 Pe 3:17
 2. Suffering for evil is what WILL happen if we are not willing 
 to stand up for Christ
 3. And suffering for Christ is only temporary, but the suffering
 for evil is eternal!
 
II. SANCTIFY THE LORD IN YOUR HEARTS (3:14-15)
 
 A. WHAT DOES IS MEAN TO "SANCTIFY THE LORD GOD IN YOUR HEARTS"?
 1. The word "sanctify" means "to set apart"
 2. Thus it means to set the Lord up on the throne of your heart, 
 to make Him the Lord and Ruler of your life
 a. Ruling over your own desires
 b. His Will taking precedent over your own will and that of 
  others
 3. The NU-Text suggests that it is Christ under consideration
 
 B. THIS IS THE KEY TO FACING PERSECUTION WITHOUT FEAR OR WITHOUT
 BEING TROUBLED...
 1. For unless we sanctify the Lord in our hearts, we will be 
 afraid of what man might do, or be troubled by what he 
 threatens
 2. But when we make Christ and God Lord, we will not fear what 
 man might do - cf. He 13:5-6
 
III. ALWAYS BE READY TO GIVE A DEFENSE FOR THE REASON FOR YOUR HOPE
 (3:15)
 
  A. OBSERVE CAREFULLY WHAT PETER IS NOT SAYING...
 1. He is NOT saying that we need to be ready to give an answer
 for EVERY question on religious matters that someone might ask
 2. As some have used this verse as a proof-text
 3. While we should certainly strive to be able to explain why we 
 do what we do in matters of religion, that is not the point 
 Peter is making here
 
 B. INSTEAD, PETER IS SAYING...
 1. To always be ready to give a reason why you have the HOPE you 
 do
 a. I.e., to explain the basis of your hope (your strong desire
 and expectation)
 b. This implies that our desire and confidence for the future 
 is so strong that it is observable by others
  c. Even in the midst of persecution, we are demonstrating joy 
 over the hope we have - cf. 1 Pe 1:6,8
 2. To do so in the proper spirit
 a. In the spirit of MEEKNESS
 1) This pertains to our attitude toward men
  2) We should be humble, not arrogant or angry
 b. In the spirit of FEAR
 1) This pertains to our attitude toward God
 2) It should be reverent, not flippant
 
IV. KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAN (3:16)
 
 A. A REASON TO KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAN...
 1. As given by Peter in our text
 2. That this together with your good conduct will likely to cause
 your enemies to be ashamed for mistreating you
 3. If not ashamed in this life, they will certainly be ashamed on
 the day of judgment!
 
 B. ANOTHER REASON FOR A CLEAN CONSCIENCE...
 1. A guilty conscience will not enable one to face the threat of
 death without fear and trembling
 a. For before we can stand before men without fear...
 b. We need to be able to stand before God without fear
 2. That is impossible without a clear conscience! - cf. 1 Jn 3:21
 
V. REMEMBER THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST (3:18)
 
 A. HE SUFFERED FOR OUR SAKES...
 1. That He might bring us to God - 1 Pe 3:18; cf. also 2:20-25
 2. So we see that suffering for good can sometimes accomplish
 much good in the long run
 
 B. WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE...
 1. As Peter already indicated in 1 Pe 2:21
 2. And which he does again in 1 Pe 4:1
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. More will be said later in this epistle on the subject of how to 
 deal with persecution
 
2. But in this text, we find five good ways to prepare ourselves...
 
3. By applying these five principles to our lives...
 a. We will be more useful to the Lord, ready for whatever may come
 b. Even if we are not faced with the prospects of physical 
 persecutions in our lifetime, it will help in times of social or 
 verbal persecution
 
In this lesson, we noticed the value of having a good conscience; in 
1 Pe 3:21, Peter speaks of that which he calls "the answer of of good
conscience toward God" (i.e., baptism). Have you considered what else
he says about it in that passage...?

Peter's Perplexing Passage (3:18-20)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In 2 Pe 3:15-16, Peter mentions that Paul wrote some things that 
 were hard to understand
 
2. The same could be said about some of Peter's own writings, 
 especially the passage in 1 Pe 3:18-20
 
3. Considered by some to be one of the most difficult passages in the 
 Bible, various and sometimes fanciful interpretations have been 
 given
 
4. In a lesson designed to inform rather than exhort...
 a. We shall examine several of the interpretations that have been 
 offered
 b. And suggest which one seems to be the right one (to me, at least)
 
[We shall examine five interpretations, in the chronological sequence 
in which they have been offered...]
 
I. THE VIEW OF CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA (200 A.D.)
 
 A. BASIC ELEMENTS...
 1. That Christ when to hell in His spirit BETWEEN His death and 
 His resurrection
 2. That He proclaimed the message of salvation to the souls of 
 sinners imprisoned there since the flood
 
 B. MAJOR DIFFICULTIES...
 1. This view would suggest that for some reason these souls were 
 given a "second chance"
 2. Whereas the Bible consistently teaches against such an idea...
 a. "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the 
 judgment" - He 9:27
 b. Peter himself later wrote that the wicked souls before the 
 flood were being "reserved... under punishment for the day 
 of judgment" - 2 Pe 2:4-5,9
 3. Why would people before the flood be given a second chance 
 when those after the flood are not?
 
II. THE VIEW OF AUGUSTINE (400 A.D.)
 
 A. BASIC ELEMENTS...
 1. That the "pre-existent" Christ in His spirit proclaimed 
 salvation through Noah to the people who lived before the 
 flood
 a. We know that Noah was "a preacher of righteousness" in his 
 day - 2 Pe 2:5
 b. We know that the Spirit of Christ was at work in O.T. 
 prophets - 1 Pe 1:10-11
 2. This view is held by many brethren today
 
 B. MAJOR DIFFICULTIES...
 1. The wording of Peter would more naturally suggest that he is 
 speaking of...
 a. The Christ who was "put to death in the flesh but made 
 alive by the Spirit"
 b. I.e., the "crucified & resurrected" Christ, not the 
 "pre-incarnate" Christ
 2. Also, the wording would more naturally suggest the preaching 
 occurred...
 a. To the spirits "in prison", not before they were imprisoned
 b. When they "formerly were disobedient", not during their
 disobedience
 
[Augustine's view dominated the theological scene for centuries, but 
then other views were presented...]
 
III. THE VIEW OF CARDINAL BELLARMINE (1600 A.D.)
 
 A. BASIC ELEMENTS...
 1. That in His spirit Christ went to release the souls of the 
 RIGHTEOUS who repented before the flood and had been kept in 
 "LIMBO"
 2. In Catholic theology, "limbo" is the place between heaven and 
 hell, where the souls of the O.T. saints were kept
 
 B. MAJOR DIFFICULTIES...
 1. The Bible is silent about a place such as "limbo"
 2. The "spirits" under discussion by Peter were "disobedient" in 
 "the days of Noah"...
 a. According to Ge 6:5-13; 7:1, only Noah and his family 
 were righteous
 b. If others had repented, would they not also have been on 
 the ark?
 3. I.e., there were no righteous before the flood save Noah and 
 his family!
 
IV. THE VIEW OF FRIEDRICH SPITTA (1900 A.D.)
 
 A. BASIC ELEMENTS...
 1. After His death and BEFORE His resurrection, Christ preached 
 to "fallen angels", also known as "sons of God", who during 
 Noah's time had married "daughters of men"
 2. This view is based upon a particular interpretation of 
 Ge 6:1-4...
 a. Job 1:6; 2:1 is offered as evidence that angels are 
 sometimes referred to as "sons of God"
 b. Jude 6, also, is offered as referring to "fallen angels" 
 in the days of Noah
 1) Because it sounds very similar to references in a book 
 called I Enoch
 2) Which expounds in detail the idea that the "sons of God"
  in Ge 6 were "fallen angels"
 3) And Jude seems to quote directly from this book in Ju
 14,15
 c. Josephus, a Jewish historian born in 37 A.D., took a 
 similar view of Ge 6
 3. This view is held by many Protestant scholars
 
 B. MAJOR DIFFICULTIES...
 1. In responding to the Sadducees, Jesus taught that angels of 
 God do not marry - Mt 22:30
 2. Of course, Jesus may have been referring to angels who "keep 
 their proper domain", and do not leave "their own habitation"
 a. If righteous angels could temporarily take on human form to
 deliver God's message (as in the case described in Ge 18:
 1-8; 19:1-3) where they ate food...
 b. It might have been possible for "fallen angels" to take on 
 human form and cohabitate as some believe Ge 6 suggests
 3. But it just as feasible to understand Ge 6 differently...
 a. That the "sons of God" were the descendants of Seth (i.e., 
 godly people), and the "daughters of men" were descendants 
 of Cain (ungodly people)
 b. This view stays clear of speculation which can easily take 
 on mythological proportions!
 
[We come to a fifth interpretation, one that I think has much to 
commend for it...]
 
V. THE VIEW OF SOME CONTEMPORARY COMMENTATORS (PRESENT)
 
 A. BASIC ELEMENTS...
 1. That the resurrected Christ, WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, 
 proclaimed to imprisoned spirits his victory over death
 2. That the exalted Christ passed through the realm where the 
 fallen angels are kept and proclaimed His triumph over them 
 (Ep 6:12; Co 2:15 is offered as support for this view)
 3. This interpretation has met favorable response in both 
 Protestant and Roman Catholic circles
 4. More importantly, this view is in beautiful harmony with 
 Peter's wording and context...
 
 B. MAJOR DISTINCTIONS...
 1. The preaching was made by Jesus Himself (not through Noah)
 2. The preaching was made by Jesus AFTER "being put to death in 
 the flesh" (not in His pre-incarnate form)
 3. The preaching was made by Jesus AFTER He was "made alive by 
 the Spirit" (i.e., after His resurrection, not during the 
 three day period between death and resurrection)
 4. The preaching was made to "THE SPIRITS"
 a. Not to "the spirits of men" (which is how the souls or 
 spirits of men are commonly referred to, notice He 12:23; 
 Re 6:9; 20:4)
 b. But rather to "angelic spirits"
 5. The preaching was made to them "IN PRISON" (that there are 
 angels so bound is clearly taught in 2 Pe 2 and Jude)
 6. The preaching was made to them who were "FORMERLY DISOBEDIENT
 ...IN THE DAYS OF NOAH"
 a. This view does not require that the rebellious angels were 
 the "sons of God" in Ge 6
 b. But simply were somehow disobedient at that time (as some 
  were later during Christ's time)
 7. The preaching was a proclamation of victory over death, not an
 offer of a second chance to a select few!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. As suggested, this last view is not only in harmony with the very 
 words and grammatical constructions used by Peter, but it is harmony
 with the CONTEXT...
 a. Peter had been teaching us to be willing to suffer, if necessary,
 for doing good - 1 Pe 3:17
 b. He appeals to the example of Christ - 1 Pe 3:18a
 c. Who despite His suffering and death, was made alive, proclaimed 
 victory to those spirits who had not been willing to submit to 
 God in Noah's day, ascending to the right hand of God, over all 
 angels and authorities! - 1 Pe 3:18b-20, note especially v. 22
 d. In view of Jesus' triumph over suffering, we should be willing to
 do the same! - 1 Pe 4:1
 
2. Admittedly, this passage is difficult, so one needs to be careful 
 and not dogmatic in one's treatment of it
 
3. I hope that by presenting this survey of the various views it may 
 serve helpful in drawing your own conclusions about "Peter's 
 Perplexing Passage"
 
But one thing Peter mentions in this passage that is not perplexing is 
his reference to baptism, and it's necessity for salvation (1 Pe 3:
21)...

The Antitype In Which God Saves Us (3:21-22)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the midst of a section in which he is discussing Christ's 
 suffering and why we need to prepare for suffering, Peter has some 
 revealing comments on the subject of baptism - 1 Pe 3:21-22
 a. First, he refers to baptism as an "antitype" ("the like figure", 
 KJV)
 b. Then he makes the striking comment that baptism "saves us"
 c. He describes baptism as "the answer of a good conscience"
 d. But he also says that baptism saves us "through the resurrection 
 of Jesus Christ"
 
2. Any one of these four points is likely to perplex those who read 
 this passage...
 a. Some may wonder what an "antitype" is
 b. Others may take issue with the idea that baptism has anything to 
 do with salvation
 c. Many question what is meant by the phrase, "the answer of a good 
 conscience"
 d. And how does the resurrection of Christ have anything to do with 
 salvation, when it was His death that provided the forgiveness of
 sins?
 
[In this lesson, I hope to share some thoughts which may help us 
appreciate more fully how baptism is indeed "The Antitype In Which God 
Saves Us".
 
Beginning with...]
 
I. BAPTISM AS AN "ANTITYPE"
 
 A. DEFINING "ANTITYPE"...
 1. The Greek word is antitupon {an-teet'-oo-pon}, which means "a 
 thing formed after some pattern; that which corresponds to a 
 type"
 2. So you have two things that some how relate or correspond to 
  each other; one is a type, the other is the antitype
 
 B. HOW BAPTISM IS AN ANTITYPE...
 1. In our text, the waters of the flood are the "type", and the 
 waters of baptism are the "antitype" - 1 Pe 3:20-21
 2. In his commentary, Barnes says...
 a. "The meaning here is, that baptism corresponded to, or had 
 a resemblance to, the water by which Noah was saved; or 
 that there was a use of water in the one case which
 corresponded in some respects to the water that was used in
 the other; to wit, in effecting salvation." (Commentary on
 1st Peter)
 b. "The apostle does not say that it corresponded in all 
 respects; in respect, e.g., to quantity, or to the manner 
 of the application, or to the efficacy; but there is a 
 sense in which water performs an important part in our 
 salvation, as it did in his." (ibid.)
 
[An important part in our salvation? Baptism? This may sound foreign 
to many people today, but the Bible and many Bible scholars over the 
history of the church have stressed this very point...]
 
II. BAPTISM AND SALVATION
 
 A. THE BIBLICAL WITNESS...
 1. There are several statements of Jesus that emphasize the 
 necessity of baptism for salvation - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:
 15-16; Jn 3:3-5
 2. The record of apostolic preaching as found in the Book of Acts
 continue this thought - Ac 2:38; 22:16
 3. In his epistles, Paul often wrote of the purpose of baptism, 
 and the role it played in salvation - Ro 6:3-6; Ga 3:26-27; 
 Co 2:11-13; Ti 3:4-5
 4. And in our text, we have Peter's own words, which coincide 
 with what he preached on that first Pentecost following the 
 resurrection of Christ - 1 Pe 3:21; cf. Ac 2:38
 
 B. THE TESTIMONY OF SOME BIBLE SCHOLARS...
 1. Augustine (A.D. 354-430)
 a. Referring to the efficacy of baptism, he wrote that "the 
 salvation of man is effected in baptism"; also, that a 
 person "is baptized for the express purpose of being with 
 Christ." (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The
 Remission of Sins, College Press, 1990, p. 30)
 b. In regards to the necessity of baptism, he refers to the 
 "apostolic tradition, by which the Churches of Christ 
 maintain it to be an inherent principle, that without 
 baptism...it is impossible for any man to attain to 
 salvation and everlasting life." (ibid., p. 30)
 2. Thomas Aquinas (A.D. 1225-1274)
 a. "...Men are bound to that without which they cannot obtain 
 salvation. Now it is manifest that no one can obtain 
 salvation but through Christ..."
 b. "But for this end is baptism conferred on a man, that being
 regenerated thereby, he may be incorporated in Christ."
 c. "Consequently it is manifest that all are bound to be 
 baptized: and that without Baptism there is no salvation 
 for men." (ibid., p. 31)
 3. Martin Luther
 a. In answer to the question, "What gifts or benefits does 
 Baptism bestow?", Luther replied in his Small Catechism, 
  "It effects forgiveness of sins."
 b. He also wrote concerning the sinner: "Through Baptism he 
 is bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from 
 sins."
 c. Again, he wrote: "To put it most simply, the power, 
 effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save."
 d. In response to those who would call this a kind of 
 works-salvation, he said "Yes, it is true that our works 
 are of no use for salvation. Baptism, however, is not our
 work but God's." (ibid., p. 32-34)
 
[Indeed, until the "reformed theology" of Ulrich Zwingli and John 
Calvin came along, the general consensus of religious scholars was in 
harmony with the Bible: that baptism does indeed save us!
 
But how can that be? The answer can be seen when we consider...
 
III. BAPTISM AND THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
 
 A. SALVATION IN BAPTISM IS NOT FOUND IN THE "WATER"...
 1. As Peter makes clear when he says "not the removal of the 
  filth of the flesh"
 2. For indeed it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ we can
 be saved - Ro 5:8
 
 B. SALVATION IN BAPTISM IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE RESURRECTION OF 
 CHRIST...
 1. If He had not been raised, we would still be in our sins - cf.
 1 Co 15:17
 2. But because Jesus was raised from the dead, we who are united
 together in the likeness of His death (i.e., baptism) can 
 share in the power of His resurrection as we also rise to walk
 in newness of life - cf. Ro 6:3-5; Co 2:12-13
 3. In other words, it is the same power of God that raised Jesus 
 from the dead which saves us in baptism so we can be "made
 alive" - cf. Ep 1:19-20; 2:4-6
 
[By God's saving grace and resurrecting power, then, baptism can indeed
save us! Not because of any cleansing power in the water, but because 
of what God is doing at that moment.
 
But notice finally, what is said about...]
 
IV. BAPTISM AND THE APPEAL FOR A GOOD CONSCIENCE
 
 A. "THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE" (NKJV)
 1. This is a difficult phrase, but I believe it most likely means
 "an appeal to God for a clear conscience"
 2. This understanding is supported by the following translations:
  a. "...the craving for a conscience right with God" 
 (Goodspeed)
 b. "...the prayer for a clean conscience before God" (Moffat)
 c. "...the request unto God for a good conscience" (Rotherham)
 d. "...an appeal to God for a clear conscience" (RSV)
 e. "...an appeal to God for a good conscience" (NASV)
 
 B. THIS COINCIDES WITH THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM...
 1. Baptism was "for the remission of sins", to have one's sins 
 "washed away" (by the blood of Christ, of course) - cf. Ac
 2:38; 22:16
 2. Therefore, people in N.T. times who realized they were sinners
 were anxious to be baptized as soon as possible - cf. Ac 8:
 35-38
 3. To have a good conscience before God (indeed, to a have our 
 conscience "purged" by the blood of Christ - cf. He 9:14),
 one is baptized so their sins can be washed away and they can 
 rise to a new life through the same power of God that raised 
 Jesus from the dead!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. It is a tragedy that so many people today downplay the importance of
 baptism
 
2. But if we will only allow the Bible to say what it does about
 baptism, we will see that it is indeed "The Antitype In Which God
 Saves Us"!
 
3. And like Martin Luther, we will view baptism as "excellent,
 glorious, and exalted," as "a most precious thing," as "an infinite,
 divine treasure." (ibid., p. 34)
 
Verse 21 of our text describes that Christ has now gone into heaven
and that all things have been made subject to Him. Have you subjected
to His authority by obeying His command to be baptized? - cf. Mt 28:
18-20
 
Have you made that appeal for a good conscience before God?

－－《Executable Outlines》

Treatment between wives and husbands

Gentle and quiet

Worthy beauty

I. Harmony between wives and husbands

1. Submission to husbands

2. Respect wives

3. Love as brothers

II.Blessed are those who suffer for what is right

1. Don’t be frightened

2. Set apart Christ as Lord

3. Keep a clear conscience

III. The example of suffering Christ

1. Die for sin

2. Substitute the unrighteous

3. Bring to God

－－ Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》

Wives and Husbands

I. Christian Wives—

1. Their Conduct—manner of life (v.1)

2. Their Chastity—chaste manner of life (v.2)

3. Their Cosmetics—a meek quiet spirit (v.3~4)

(Adorning-Greek—Kosmeo, from which ‘cosmetics if derived)

4. Their Character—holy women (v.5)

II. Christian Hsbands(v.7)—

1. Their Courtesy—giving honour unto the wife

2. Their Considerateness—as unto the weaker vessel

3. Their Concord—heirs together of the grace of life

4. Their Communion—that your prayers be not hindered

── Archibald Naismith《Outlines for Sermons》

Five Negatives Concerning Evil

I. Not redering evil for evil (v.9)

II. Not speaking evil or guile (v.10)

III. Not following evil but peace (v.11)

IV. Not doing evil but good (v.12)

V. Not suffering for evil doing but for well doing (v.17)

── Archibald Naismith《Outlines for Sermons》

Three Precious Truths in One Verse (v.18)

I. Propitiation—Christ hath once suffered for sins

II. Substitution—the Just for the unjust

III. Reconciliation—that He might bring us to God

── H.D.