(3:2-6) Wives are to use "chaste conversation, coupled with fear." They are not to braid their hair, wear gold, or put on
any "apparel." They are to do these things in imitation of the
"holy" women of the Old testament who were "in subjection to
their own husbands: even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord." What the Bible says about clothing and fashion
(3:2) "While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear."
(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."
(3:5) "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:"
(3:6) "Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord."
(3:7) "The wife, as unto the weaker vessel"
In relation to her husband, the wife is "the weaker vessel."
(3:8-11) Be compassionate and courteous. Don't seek revenge when
you are harmed by another. Speak kindly of others. Do good and avoid evil.
(3:8) "Having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."
(3:9) "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing."
(3:10) "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."
(3:11) "Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it."
(3:15) "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." Christians should be ready to
explain why they believe what they do. This is a good verse to remember when
they refuse to debate you. Should believers discuss their faith with non-believers?
(3:19 "He went and preached unto the spirits in prison." After he died but before his resurrection,
Jesus delivered a sermon in hell (prison). (See 1 Peter 4:6 and Acts 2:31)
The Watchtower Society teaches that there is no consciousness after death.
But if that is so, then how could Jesus have preached to the "spirits in prison?"
(3:20) "Eight souls were saved by water."
God drowned everyone on earth except for Noah and his family. This verse is used by young-earth Creationists to show that New Testament
writers believed the Old Testament stories.
(3:21-22) "Jesus Christ: who is ... on the the right hand of God." Is Jesus God?
3:1
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;
3:2While they behold your
chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3:3Whose adorning let it
not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,
or of putting on of apparel;
3:4
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.
3:5For after this manner in
the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being
in subjection unto their own husbands:
3:6Even as Sara obeyed
Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye
do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
3:7
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.
3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as
brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
3:9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a
blessing.
3:10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue
from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
3:11Let him eschew evil, and do good;
let him seek peace, and ensue it.
3:12
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.
3:13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is
good?
3:14
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not
afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in you 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:
3:16
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.
3:17
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing,
than for evil doing.
3:18
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:
3:19
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
3:20
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.
3:21
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:
3:22Who is gone into
heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made
subject unto him.