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:
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:
- BSB For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their 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 5:5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
- Titus 2:3–4The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
- Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
- Prov 31:30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
- 1 Tim 2:15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
- 1 Tim 5:10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
- Luke 8:2–3And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
- Luke 2:37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
- Heb 11:11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
- Jer 49:11Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
- 1 Sam 2:1And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
- 1 Pet 3:2–4While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
- Acts 1:14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
- Prov 31:10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
- 1 Tim 2:10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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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