NOTES for Pe1 3:1-12

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.