Standing Firm as Wife and Husband

Peter – who was married himself (Mk 1:30) – turns his attention now to the Christian home itself, particularly to the godly institution of marriage. In Christ, he calls wives to be subject/submissive to their husbands (cf Col 3:18; Titus 2:5). The same word (hupotasso) is used of Jesus to His parents (Lk 2:51); demons to Jesus’ disciples (Lk 10:17, 20); creation to futility (Rom 8:20); all things to Jesus (1 Cor 15:27-28); Christians to each other (Eph 5:21); the church to Christ (Eph 5:24); Christians to God (Ja 4:7); and younger men to elders (1 Pt 5:5). Submission, then, carries the idea of “humble service toward” and “to follow one’s leadership.”
Note how Peter’s eye is especially toward wives with unbelieving husbands; in this case, wives should not pressure husbands into believing but let their godly living testify to the gospel truth (v2).
Moreover, wives should focus on inner beauty (a gentle and quiet spirit) rather than outward adornment, as faithful women have done before them (v3-5).
Likewise, husbands are to live in an understanding way (her needs) and to shower them with honor as “weaker vessels” – never threatening them via physical or verbal abuse – as both are equally heirs of grace and life (v6-7).