1 Peter 3: Behavior in Marriage
What does it mean to “respect authority”?
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1 Peter 3:1 Wives, respect the authority of your husbands. Even if they do not believe God’s word, your Godly lives will speak to them.
King James
1 Peter 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;
What should a wife do when her husband won’t listen and doesn’t care?
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1 Peter 3:1–3 Wives, respect the authority of your husbands. Even if they do not believe God’s word, your Godly lives will speak to them. By your pure and reverent actions, you will win their hearts, not by fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.
King James
1 Peter 3:1–3 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; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
How is “inner beauty” best described?
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1 Peter 3:4–5 Make yourselves attractive through the inner beauty of character, having a kind and gentle spirit, which God values highly. That was the practice of great wives of history, who were devoted to pleasing their husbands.
King James
1 Peter 3:4–5 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. 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:
Why does a team require a leader?
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Amos 3:3 If two people can’t agree on the direction they should go, how can they walk together?
Matthew 11:29–30 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn to walk my way, for I am gentle and humble of heart. In me, you will find rest for your souls, because my yoke fits and your share of the load is light.”
1 Peter 3:6 Sarah followed Abraham’s lead like a servant respects his master. As if you were her daughters, you do well to confidently follow her example.
King James
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Matthew 11:29–30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1 Peter 3:6 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.
What responsibilities come with leadership?
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1 Peter 3:7 In the same way, you husbands must accept responsibility for your wife’s wellbeing since she has given herself to your guidance. Recognize her as an equal heir of God’s gift of life so your prayers will not be hindered.
King James
1 Peter 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.
How important are common goals?
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Romans 12:16 Recognize where people are and why they think as they do. Find a way to appreciate their points of view so you can find common ground to communicate. You want to be perceived as a helper, but not as if you think you’re better than they are.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, share the same objectives. Respect each other’s perspective, being affectionate and tenderhearted.
King James
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
What should people do if they don’t agree?
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1 Peter 3:9–10 Don’t retaliate, insulting or injuring others after they have done that to you, but do the opposite, blessing them, for you will be blessed when you bless others. If you want to really enjoy life and have many good days, then keep your tongue from causing trouble and guard your lips that they allow no deceit.
King James
1 Peter 3:9–10 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 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:
If striving to do good promotes peace, what conditions promote war?
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James 4:1 What causes quarrels and fighting among you? Isn’t it because of your conflicting self-serving desires?
1 Peter 3:11 Shun every form of iniquity, always striving to do good. Pursue peace as something worth having all the time.
King James
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
1 Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
How can we become God’s friend, always having him on our side?
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John 14:23 “People must love me enough to do what I say. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to live with them.”
James 4:8 Move closer to God, and he will move closer to you. Wash your hands of wrongdoing and purify your hearts with good motives. Don’t live a double life, but have a single focus upon what the Lord wants.
1 Peter 3:12 The Lord sees the righteous and hears their prayers, but he works against those who do evil.
King James
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
1 Peter 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.
What kind of people will bite the hands that try to feed them?
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Matthew 7:6 “Do not give something holy to dogs. They will turn and attack, tearing you to pieces. Do not toss your pearls to pigs. They will only trample them under their feet.”
1 Peter 3:13–14 Who will want to harm you if you’re eager to see them blessed? If you suffer for doing good, rejoice. Don’t fear what people might think or do to you.
King James
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
1 Peter 3:13–14 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
What parts of your story would stir the most interest and have the most meaning for unbelievers?
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1 Peter 3:15 Make good on your commitment to the Lord by preparing to share your experiences with those who might not understand how you have survived your struggles. Always be ready to reveal why you have hope in this tumultuous world.
King James
1 Peter 3:15 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:
Why might treating accusers with kindness be better than firing back?
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1 Peter 3:16 Don’t retaliate when people accuse you of wrongdoing. Respond with kindness just as Jesus would, and they will be ashamed of their slander.
King James
1 Peter 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.
What is the difference between God causing suffering and allowing it?
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1 Corinthians 11:32 When the Lord judges and disciplines us, he saves us from being condemned with the world.
1 Thessalonians 3:4 When we were with you, we told you that your faith would be tried and you would suffer for Christ’s sake. Now you’ve seen how true those words were.
1 Peter 3:17 Suffering for doing good, if God allows it, is much better than suffering for doing evil.
King James
1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
1 Thessalonians 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Why is suffering sometimes necessary to fulfill God’s purpose?
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Romans 8:28 All those who love God and are working to fulfill his purpose should know that all things will work together for good.
2 Corinthians 1:5 The more we suffer for Christ, the more we are comforted.
Galatians 3:4 Do you think all that you’ve gone through is for no purpose? I should hope not.
Philippians 3:10 After living for him, suffering for him, and dying for him, I will know the life and power of his resurrection
2 Timothy 1:9 To fulfill God’s purpose before the world began, we were saved by grace and called to good works in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer for Christ’s sake, we will reign with him, but if we deny him, he will deny us.
1 Peter 3:18 Jesus Christ, being righteous, suffered for the unrighteous. Being just, he suffered for the unjust so they might come to God. He suffered physical death and burial, but the Holy Spirit raised him to life.
King James
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
Galatians 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
1 Peter 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:
Of what value was Jesus preaching to the dead?
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1 Peter 3:19–20 He took the good news to the dead, preaching to the imprisoned spirits, including the disobedient in Noah’s day when God patiently waited during the building of the ark, but only eight people were saved by the flood.
1 Peter 4:6 The good news was preached to those who are now dead so their fleshly deeds will be judged and they can live with God in the spirit.
King James
1 Peter 3:19–20 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 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.
1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
In our relationship with God, what is the value of baptism?
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Mark 16:16 “Those who believe and are baptized will be saved, but those who do not believe will be condemned.”
Romans 6:3–4 Are you not aware than when you were baptized, you made a total commitment to Jesus Christ, even unto death? Just as Jesus was laid lifeless in the tomb, your self-serving desires were put to death in the waters of baptism so you could be raised up with him and have a new relationship with God, living without sin.
1 Corinthians 12:13 In baptism, we joined ourselves as one body intent upon being led by the Holy Spirit, no matter whether we are Jew or non-Jew, slave or free.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, we rise with him through faith in the power of God at work in our lives, the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 3:21 That flood water presents a picture of the baptism that saves you, which is not by washing dirt from your flesh. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with a clear conscience you are made right with God, cleansed from your sinful past.
King James
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Romans 6:3–4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1 Peter 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:
Are all authorities and powers subject to Christ? Why or why not?
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Romans 4:10–11 Did this happen after he was circumcised? No, it was not after but before. Circumcision was a physical sign of an already established relationship with God, making Abraham the father of all the uncircumcised who believe and are made righteous.
Philippians 2:9–11 Therefore, God has promoted Christ to the highest of all positions and has made the name Jesus greater than any other name. So everyone in Heaven and on Earth must respect and bow to his position and authority, confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Peter 3:22 Christ now sits in Heaven’s highest place of honor, with all authorities and powers subject to him.
King James
Romans 4:10–11 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Philippians 2:9–11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.