Peter has been discussing the citizenship of those in the "holy nation", following God. He now spends time on secondary, more pragmatic aspects of this citizenship.
1 Peter 3: 1-6, True beauty, submissionWives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
I won't comment on the "submissive" and "called him her master" phrasing other than to say that the Genesis account certainly has Sarah speaking back to Abraham and also shows Abraham as a weak and vulnerable man who probably needed Sarah's backbone.
From the context, one would assume that some of these believing women are married to men who are not followers of Jesus; these husbands may not be followers of God in any manner.
I will endorse the instructions that one's beauty should be "that of your inner self". Although this is good instruction to both genders, every culture has encouraged women to be outwardly beautiful and so "inner beauty" might be an easy thing to forget.
1 Peter 3: 7, Husbands, in the same way
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
What does "weaker" mean here? Physically weaker? Peter was married so he would presumably have realized that his wife was only physically weaker but not weaker in others ways? (I speak as one happily married for 40 years -- my wife is very strong mentally and in other important ways... smile.... I hope she reads this someday.)
1 Peter 3: 8-9, Summary: harmony & love
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
A good summary; both wife and husband owe submission, support, sympathy to each other.
1 Peter 3: 10-12, Live in righteousness
For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
This entire passage is from Psalm 34: 12-16.
1 Peter 3: 13-14, First priority: what is right
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
As ambassadors from another kingdom, with an eternal king, we should always be eager to (gently, gently!) explain why we love that king and kingdom. However, this must be done with respect and understanding. Too much so-called "evangelism" is a mixture of bullying and used-car-salesmanship, from individuals who are a little worried that they bought a bad product.
Part of any persecution will include allegations of misconduct. Peter warns his readers to be careful with their words and actions so that those allegations are truly slanderous.
1 Peter 3: 17-20a, Suffer for doing good
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.
The last half of this passage is strange and there have been many attempts to interpret it. Does it teach that somehow Jesus went to a place (Hades? Sheol?) and spoke to those of the past? Some have claimed this....
In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Peter alludes to Noah here, passing through water. Some suggest that this letter was intended as an instruction on church citizenship, to go with a baptism ritual of entrance to the church.
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