The Great Value of Wives Submission

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 3:1-2

1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

In this first verse, Peter returns to the subject of submission, which he began in 1 Peter 2:12, where he instructed his readers to keep their behavior excellent (in submission to God) among the Gentiles. Then in verse 13 they were to submit to every human institution; then in verse 18, servants were to be submissive to their masters.

Here Peter returns to this subject in regard to the family. Wives are to be submissive to their husbands. And the reason is so that any husband who is a non-believer may be won over by the good behavior (submissive behavior) of his wife. Apparently, God has put it in the heart of a man (even a non-believer) to think well of a chaste and respectful wife. Unfortunately, there are a few non-believers who are so evil that they will never be won over. If that is the case, there will be constant suffering for the believing wife, and she must continually cling to God for strength, and always requesting the prayers of church members.

Our Shepherd and Guardian

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:25

25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Peter may have been thinking of Isaiah 53:6, referring to our unregenerate condition, as sheep without a shepherd, unguided and unprotected from evil. But when we gave our heart to Him we repented of our sinful ways and started following Him as our Shepherd and Guardian. As our Shepherd He watches over us, guides us, and leads us in the paths of righteousness (Ps. 23). As our Guardian He is our good protector from evil, keeping our soul protected forever.

He Bore Our Sins

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:24

24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

This is the mystery of the new life. Believing in Him we enter the miracle of the process of the new life. Since He died to pay for our sins, we in turn also died with Him and are freed from our sins. And because He was raised from the dead, having paid for our sins, we also, in Him, are raised with our sins paid for. Being cleansed of sin we live in righteousness.

Now putting it another way, we could say that through the wounds that He suffered on the cross, we are healed. We are spiritually healed from any ailment do to sin now, and we will be physically healed at our glorification (Rev. 21:4).

How Jesus Suffered

Posted on December 29, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:23

23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Jesus was abused with hateful language (especially at His trial and during His crucifixion). But He did not say anything back. Mathew records (in Matt. 27:12-14): “And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.”

The reason why he remained silent is because He knew it was His time to suffer, and He also knew that only His Father could deliver Him. So, He entrusted Himself (handed Himself over) to God whom He knew would judge Him righteously. His Father would let Him be crucified to pay for our sins, but in the end He would be resurrected and returned to heaven.

Called to Suffer as Christ Did

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:21-22

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;

We are called to salvation, and in that calling we are also called to suffer as Christ did. Hence, we have His example to follow. And He did suffer unjustly, since He committed no sin or was ever deceitful. He was a perfect man. And if we try to be as He was, we will suffer as He did, inflicted from the hands of sinful men, from Satan and his demons, from the sinful world, and from our own sinful flesh.

Enduring Unfair Treatment

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:19-20

19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

God is pleased with you when you endure unfair treatment—because you are keeping a good conscience toward God. But if you are treated harshly because of some sin, we must know that our harsh treatment is fair and is what we had coming.

Servant to be Submissive to their Masters

Posted on December 22, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:18

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

I think this verse really belongs with the previous verse; when we are submissive to our masters (anyone who is in charge of us) we are serving God. For God has put our superiors over us. Even if they are harsh and unreasonable, they are put there for His purpose—for a good purpose (Rom. 8:28).It is never God’s will for those in charge of us to be harsh or mean; however, He will work their evil out for His, and our good, according to His sovereign will.

Bondslaves to God

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:16-17

16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

The subject of our freedom in Christ is covered in 1 Corinthians 6:12. Here Paul explains freedom as that which is lawful for us, or that whatever we do, even if it is a sin, is covered by God’s forgiveness. But Paul also says that some things are not profitable in that they will master us. Hence, freedom in Christ is being able to live without being concerned with condemnation—because Christ has paid for our sins on the cross. Another verse which I like is in 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Here freedom in Christ is walking in the Light (notice that Light is capitalized) and therefore we are cleansed from all sins.

But Peter here says that we are not to use our freedom as a covering for evil. When we do sin (and we sin every day), we are not to say, Oh God’s grace will cover it, no worry (Rom. 6:1). God’s grace will cover it and cleanse it, but at the same time we must confess it as sin and determine not to do it again (1Jn. 1:9). And then also, we are to use our freedom as bondslaves of God; for we have a tremendous power (by our cleansing) to do great services for God. Yes, we can do service for God not with a load of guilt over us, but with the joy of the Lord over us because of His cleansing grace. Verse 17 shows us how we may serve the Lord: honor all people—respect all people as fellow humans whom God has created; love the brotherhood—love every member of the family of God because they are our family; fear God—pay close attention to what He tells you, and obey Him; honor the king—pay special respect to him, because he carries the authority of God upon him.

Doing Right

Posted on December 18, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:15

15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

There seems to always foolish men (and women) around—those who are always thinking of reasons to criticize believers. These days are filled with foolish people who will put you down just for being a Christian, not for any good thing you do. But hopefully our good deeds will make some impact on even fools. Our prayers will help.

Submit to Every Human Institution

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 2:13-14

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

Included in their excellent behavior (v. 12), they were to submit to the king (the authority figure), and also to local governors—those who carry out the kings orders to both punish evildoers and honor those who do right. Of course, every believer will try his best to be a good citizen and thus be a good testimony in front of his neighbors.