(1 Pet 3:1 KJV) 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;

Unbelieving husbands can be won by the conversation of the wives. They must live their lives to reflect Christ and His teachings in order that their husbands will see God in them and fear. They must be in the spirit of subjection and meekness, not in an overbearing "holier than thou" attitude.

(1 Pet 3:2 KJV) While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Chaste means to be pure, innocent and clean.

(1 Pet 3:3 KJV) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

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.

The adorning of the wives should emphasize meekness, purity, love, and modesty not the outward appearance. The adornment of women should reflect her faith and love for God.

(1 Pet 3:5 KJV) 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:

Adornment should reflect godliness and holiness being in subjection to their own husbands. Never should her desire be to attract someone other than her husband.

(1 Pet 3:6 KJV) 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.

Sarah obedience to Abraham is set as an example of submission and modesty. If you read the story of Abraham you will see that he was the head of the home and was a man that lived in the fear of God yet to me he seemed to be very appreciative of Sarah and listened to what she had to say. My picture of Abraham is someone very kind and good to his wife.

(1 Pet 3:7 KJV) 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.

If we study the scriptures for the purpose of learning about how husbands and wives should be one toward another, we must not stop with verse 6. Verse 7 brings out the husband's part. A husband is to honor his wife and tread her kindly. If there is not harmony between the husband and wife the prayers are hindered. Every try to pray when you are mad at a spouse? It is very hard. (Been there done that).

(1 Pet 3:8 KJV) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

This is beautiful. When you see a husband and wife with compassion for one another and also the same mind and the same spirit of unity, they are indeed a family. The same thing applies to a church body. A church will prosper in souls and in love if they are of the same mind and in unity having compassion one for another. When one cries they all cry, when one rejoices they all rejoice. This of course does not mean we unite for evil purposes. This is why God gave us the written word so that we can be sure all things measure up to the word and we can be unified in the word.

(1 Pet 3:9 KJV) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Our attitude should never be to "get even" but to live in peace and harmony. This will cause us to inherit a blessing from the Lord. In honor, prefer one another. Do not desire to sit in the chief seats, to be exalted above another brother, or to be in "charge". Walk in the spirit of meekness.

(1 Pet 3:10 KJV) 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:

This must really prove that the tongue can kindle a lot of trouble. If we find people that fight and war all the time, the reason is usually that they can't control the tongue. To be quick to answer and talk back, "Tell someone off," is not the way of peace and godliness. There is a correct way to correct a wrong and to speak about disagreements. The bible shows us how. In the spirit of meekness, considering the feelings of the other person. Never should we have a "I'm right and your wrong, holier than thou attitude." If the person refuses to listen and hear correction, then we have to back off and leave he or she up to the Lord.

(1 Pet 3:11 KJV) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

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.

God hears the prayers of those who live righteously and seek peace. Those who speak evil of one another and cause trouble are not the ones whose prayers God hears unless of course the prayers are prayers of repentance.

(1 Pet 3:13 KJV) And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

If we suffer for the sake of righteousness then we are to count it a blessing. We don't have to fear. Even those that kill believers, after they kill, there is no more that they can do for the believer is in the presence of the Lord. If on other hand we suffer because of our own sins and faults then we bring reproach upon the gospel and the name of Jesus Christ.

(1 Pet 3:15 KJV) 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:

We used to call this being prayed up. Not lagging behind in spiritual growth and prayer so that when an opportunity comes to witness or to answer a serious question concerning someone's salvation we can know by the power of the Holy Spirit what to say. Sanctify the Lord in our hearts. Make sure the Lord's presence is set in our hearts. To sanctify is to consecrate, to set aside for the Lord's use, to purify and to make holy. Be ready in season and out of season. Be filled with the Spirit. This is one reason the Holy Spirit is given to us for the power to witness to have answers for those who may question our faith.

(1 Pet 3:16 KJV) 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.

Keep our conscience pure and free from condemnation. Make sure there are no secret sins or outward sins that others may see. Then, when we are accused the accusation will be false and not real.

(1 Pet 3:17 KJV) For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

Better to suffer when you do good than suffer for doing wrong. The example again is Jesus who suffered for the unjust although He was just Himself.

(1 Pet 3:18 KJV) 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:

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

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.

It looks like this verse actually means that Jesus preached to those who had departed this life and were in the bondage of hell. It would appear that this refers to those that were lost in the flood at Noah's time. This would answer those who question how the people who came before Jesus could possibly be saved. Since they had no possible way to hear the gospel before death maybe they heard it after death. This also proves that there is no soul sleep. Jesus was alive when His body was dead. Only the flesh dies.

According to one bible scholar's opinion though the above verse says that Jesus actually went to the angels who were bound in prison and preached to them. He said that once humans die there is no way for them to be saved.

No matter who is right about theses verses they do prove that there is no soul sleep and when physical death comes the soul and spirit of man is still very much alive in one place or another. Remembering that fact should encourage us to accept God's plan of salvation now and not wait expecting to get right with God before death or even after death. Why take a chance with your soul? Most preachers of the gospel believe that there is no chance after you die.

Another point to bring out is the fact that once you meet the Lord and He becomes your savior, you really begin to live for the first time. You become alive. You now have something worthwhile to live for. Life has a meaning and purpose. Everyone is looking for a purpose for existing. You've heard the term, "Get a Life." This is where you get it; from the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe me until you find Him you will not find life.

(1 Pet 3:20 KJV) 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.

Looks to me like those who perished in the days of Noah may have had a chance to hear the gospel but I don't want to say for sure here just in case I may be wrong.

(1 Pet 3:21 KJV) 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:

22. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Jesus is now gone into heaven and received the authority given by God the Father to rule over all the earth with all men, power, angels etc. being in subjection to Him. Christ will rule at His Second Coming.

1 Peter 4