For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands,
Parallel translations
- WEB For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
- 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:
- NKJV For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,
- NASB For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands,
- NLT This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The holy women of old who hoped in God adorned themselves this way, submitting to their husbands. Godly women throughout Scripture model trust in God expressed through inner beauty.
Overview
Peter appeals to 'the holy women before' as examples of the inner adornment he commends. Their hope was set 'in God,' and that trust expressed itself in respectful submission to their husbands. This grounds his instruction not in cultural fashion but in the consistent pattern of faithful women across redemptive history.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Tim 5:5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
- Titus 2:3–4Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.
- Acts 9:36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.
- Prov 31:30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
- 1 Tim 2:15Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
- 1 Tim 5:10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
- Luke 8:2–3as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
- Luke 2:37and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
- Heb 11:11By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.
- Jer 49:11Abandon your orphans; I will preserve their lives. Let your widows trust in Me.”
- 1 Sam 2:1At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD in whom my horn is exalted. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation.
- 1 Pet 3:2–4when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.
- Acts 1:14With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
- Prov 31:10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
- 1 Tim 2:10but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.
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Christ at the center
The lamb without blemish foreknown before the world, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, by whose wounds we are healed — the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
How 1 Peter 3:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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