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.