NOTES for Pe1 3:1-2

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¹Likewise, 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;

²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Speaking of relationships with neighbors, including within families made up of Christians and pagans, Peter points to them as an opportunity to learn both communion with God and life in the Kingdom. Strictly speaking, the apostle looks the same way at all social life in general: for him it is only a means for the main thing, for the practice of spiritual life. And the family is the place where conditions for such practice arise that are impossible anywhere else. Indeed, all other relationships are more or less episodic, while relationships in the family are regular and systematic.

Besides, if the issue is, for example, a church community, then there, in conditions where religious enthusiasm inevitably comes to the forefront, much in relationships is as if blurred and goes into the shadows, especially when members of the community do not live together and meet regularly but only for a short time. The family is another matter. In a family people rest, and often also from what some call "spiritual life."

It is then, when a person rests from a supposed "spiritual life," which in fact is from his own religiosity that sometimes becomes wearisome, that he becomes himself; and then his true spiritual level becomes obvious to everyone living with him, and sometimes to himself as well. The family thus turns out to be an excellent place for spiritual practice, and the apostle understands this perfectly. Just as he also understands how great the temptation is, on the wave of religious enthusiasm that often accompanies conversion, to leave a "pagan" family and look for something more "spiritual."

Peter insists that spirituality begins with accepting a person as he is. Only in this way can one hope that someday this person will become different. This does not mean that a Christian must imitate those around him and for their sake cease to be what he is. But he also has no right to demand from others that they immediately cease to be what they are.

Here, strictly speaking, is the same acceptance of the givenness of the human world of which the apostle has already spoken when he touched on the question of the Christian's attitude toward social institutions and arrangements. In the end, God acts in the same way. He does not demand of us that we be ideal people. He accepts us as we are in order to make us what He wants to see us become. Only in this way can one help a person enter the Kingdom. And this is the main task.

Other notes

For Pe1 3:1-12

¹Likewise, 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;

²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

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

⁴But 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.

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

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

⁷Likewise, 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.

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

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

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

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

¹²For 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 instructions to wives are more extensive than those to husbands. This is hardly due to a one-sided demand made of... Read more

The instructions to wives are more extensive than those to husbands. This is hardly due to a one-sided demand made of women, since the apostle calls men to be no less responsible. Yet it is hard to shake the impression that Peter prophetically foresees a time when sisters in the Church will outnumber brothers and bear the main witness to Christ. Nor can we say that the apostle's advice concerns women alone: Peter continues to develop the idea that Christians should build peaceful and friendly relationships with those around them, not necessarily relatives, and visibly show the fruits of faith's transforming action without unnecessary words.

The call not to repay evil with evil sounds entirely natural on Peter's lips, and the reminder is never superfluous. Yet it is significant that Peter, like James, calls us to keep our tongue from evil and not answer ill-wishers with insults. To us, unaccustomed to restraining our speech, the apostle's demands may seem excessive. But they are justified: words can kill, and those who love life and wish to see good days should not add to evil and destruction.