Chapter
1 2 3 4 5
Verse

1 Peter 3:6

ESV as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
NIV like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
NASB just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
CSB just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.
NLT For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.
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.
NKJV as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

What does 1 Peter 3:6 mean?

This concludes a thought begun in verse 5, as well as Peter's instructions to Christian wives begun in verse 1.

Earlier, Peter pointed out examples of women who had come before. These were holy women, who hoped in God, and exemplary in how they lived in front of their husbands. Since all Christian women reading this now are also "holy"—set apart for God's purposes, not those of the world—they should also find their true beauty, in part, by submitting to their own husbands.

Peter cites the example of Abraham's wife Sarah. Jewish readers would have grown up learning about Abraham and Sarah. A major part of Israel's history was how they trusted God to lead them through a strange country, into a new home and to give them children to begin the nation of Israel. Those readers would also remember that Sarah was renowned for her great beauty. And, that Abraham was not exactly a model husband. In fact, Abraham feared he would be killed by men who wanted Sarah for themselves. So, he let those men believe he and Sarah were not married, and to take her home! Twice!

Peter insists that Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him "lord" because she put her trust in God, not in Abraham. Women who make that same choice, and refuse to give into fears about being provided for, or personal worth, or what they feel they deserve, will become Sarah's children by being like her.

Notice that Sarah, not Abraham, is the one Peter holds out as honorable in this passage. Those who follow her example also receive honor, attain an unfading beauty, and succeed in pleasing God.
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