\\INTRODUCTION TO 1 PETER 3\\

In this chapter the apostle instructs wives how to behave towards their
husbands, and husbands how to behave towards their wives; and then
exhorts to various things common to all Christians, and particularly to
suffer patiently for righteousness sake; to which he encourages them
from the sufferings of Christ, and the benefits resulting from them, on
which he enlarges to the end of the chapter. He begins with the duty of
wives to their husbands, even unbelieving ones, which is subjection to
them, urged from the profitable effect of it; since hereby they might
be won over to the Christian religion, without the use of the word, as
a means, by their conversation, which is explained of chastity and
fear, \\#1Pe 3:1,2\\. And he proceeds to give some advice about their
apparel, that they should have a greater regard to internal ornaments;
particularly meekness and quietness of spirit, which is highly esteemed
of by God, rather than to outward adorning; and which he enforces by
the examples of godly women in former times, who were so adorned, and
were subject to their husbands, particularly Sarah, the wife of
Abraham, \\#1Pe 3:3-6\\. And next the apostle directs husbands how to
conduct towards their wives, to dwell with them, and honour them,
because vessels, and weaker vessels, and also heirs of the same grace
of life; and besides, to use them ill would be an hinderance of their
praying together, \\#1Pe 3:7\\. And then follow various exhortations to
unity of judgment, compassion, brotherly love, pity, courteousness, and
patience under the reproaches and revilings of men, which is the way to
inherit a blessing they are called unto, \\#1Pe 3:8,9\\ and that these
are incumbent on the saints, and that they shall be blessed, who are
helped to regard them, is proved by some passages out of
\\#Ps 34:12-16\\, which passages are cited, \\#1Pe 3:10-12\\. And in
order to encourage to the exercise of the above things, the apostle
suggests, that they that so behaved should not be hurt by any; and if
they did suffer for righteousness sake from wicked men, yet still they
would be happy; nor should this deter them from making a public
confession of their faith; to which should be added a good conscience
and conversation, to the shame and confusion of them that spoke evil of
them, and accused them, \\#1Pe 3:13-16\\. And though they were
distressed and injured by men, they should not be cast down, nor
murmur, since it was the will of God it should be so; and since it was
better to suffer for doing well than for doing ill; and especially the
example of Christ should animate to patience, since he, an innocent
person, suffered for the sins of unjust men, to reconcile them to God;
and he is now glorified and happy, and so will his people be,
\\#1Pe 3:17,18\\. And having made mention of his being quickened by the
Spirit, the apostle takes occasion from hence of observing, that by the
same Spirit Christ preached in the times of Noah to disobedient
persons, whose spirits were now in hell; and he takes notice of the
longsuffering of God in that dispensation towards them, and of the
goodness of God in saving Noah, and his family, in the ark, which was a
figure of baptism; of which some account is given what it is, and is
not, and which saves by the resurrection of Christ, \\#1Pe 3:19-21\\
who is described by his ascension to heaven, session at the right hand
of God, and dominion over angels, authorities, and powers,
\\#1Pe 3:22\\.