1 Peter 3:5
New International Version
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands,

New Living Translation
This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.

English Standard Version
For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,

Berean Standard Bible
For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands,

Berean Literal Bible
For in this way formerly, the holy women also hoping in God used to adorn themselves, being subject to the own husbands,

King James Bible
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

New King James Version
For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

New American Standard Bible
For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands,

NASB 1995
For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;

NASB 1977
For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands.

Legacy Standard Bible
For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands,

Amplified Bible
For in this way in former times the holy women, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands and adapting themselves to them;

Christian Standard Bible
For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands,

American Standard Version
For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

Contemporary English Version
Long ago those women who worshiped God and put their hope in him made themselves beautiful by putting their husbands first.

English Revised Version
For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After all, this is how holy women who had confidence in God expressed their beauty in the past. They placed themselves under their husbands' authority

Good News Translation
For the devout women of the past who placed their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by submitting themselves to their husbands.

International Standard Version
After all, this is how holy women who set their hope on God used to make themselves beautiful in the past. They submitted themselves to their husbands,

Majority Standard Bible
For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands,

NET Bible
For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands,

New Heart English Bible
For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

Webster's Bible Translation
For after this manner in former times the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

Weymouth New Testament
For in ancient times also this was the way the holy women who set their hopes upon God used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their husbands.

World English Bible
For this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for thus once also the holy women who hoped on God were adorning themselves, being subject to their own husbands,

Berean Literal Bible
For in this way formerly, the holy women also hoping in God used to adorn themselves, being subject to the own husbands,

Young's Literal Translation
for thus once also the holy women who did hope on God, were adorning themselves, being subject to their own husbands,

Smith's Literal Translation
For so once also the holy women, hoping in God, arranged themselves, being subjected to their own husbands:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For after this manner heretofore the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For in this way, in past times also, holy women adorned themselves, hoping in God, being subject to their own husbands.

New American Bible
For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands;

New Revised Standard Version
It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For so also in the past did the holy women, who trusted in God, adorn their lives and were submissive to their own husbands:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For in this way from the first, the holy women who hoped in God were adorning their souls and they submitted to their husbands.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For, in former times, the holy women also, who trusted in God, thus adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands,

Godbey New Testament
For in this way in olden times the holy wives, the ones having hope toward God, were indeed accustomed to beautify themselves, submissive to their own husbands:

Haweis New Testament
For so in times of old the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands;

Mace New Testament
the holy religious women of former times were thus adorned, and were submissive to their husbands.

Weymouth New Testament
For in ancient times also this was the way the holy women who set their hopes upon God used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their husbands.

Worrell New Testament
For thus, in former times, the holy women also, who hoped in God, were wont to adorn themselves, submitting themselves to their own husbands;

Worsley New Testament
For so also formerly the holy women, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being submissive to their husbands; as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him her lord:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wives and Husbands
4but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 5For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands, 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.…

Cross References
Genesis 18:12
So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

Genesis 12:11-13
As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman, / and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. / Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”

Genesis 24:67
And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

Genesis 17:15-16
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah. / And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”

Genesis 21:1-2
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...

Isaiah 54:5
For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.

Ruth 3:11
And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Titus 2:3-5
Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. / In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

1 Timothy 2:9-10
Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, / but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

1 Timothy 2:11-12
A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. / If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.


Treasury of Scripture

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

the holy.

Proverbs 31:10,30
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies…

Luke 8:2,3
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, …

Acts 1:14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

who.

1 Samuel 2:1
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

Jeremiah 49:11
Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.

Luke 2:37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

adorned.

1 Peter 3:2-4
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear…

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1 Peter 3
1. He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other;
8. exhorting all men to unity and love;
14. and to suffer persecution.
19. He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world.














For this is how
This phrase introduces a pattern or example that is being set forth. The Greek word "houtōs" (οὕτως) implies a manner or way of doing something. It suggests that what follows is not merely a suggestion but a model to be emulated. In the context of the early church, this would have been a call to align with a tradition that was both respected and revered.

the holy women of the past
The term "holy" (Greek: "hagios") signifies being set apart for God, emphasizing the sanctity and reverence of these women. "Of the past" refers to the women of the Old Testament, such as Sarah, Rebecca, and others who are often cited as paragons of faith and virtue. These women are not just historical figures but are presented as spiritual ancestors whose lives were marked by a deep trust in God.

adorned themselves
The Greek word "kosmeō" (κοσμέω) is used here, which means to arrange or put in order, often used in the context of personal appearance. However, the emphasis is not on external beauty but on the inner qualities that reflect a heart devoted to God. This adornment is spiritual, characterized by virtues that are pleasing to God.

They put their hope in God
This phrase underscores the foundation of their adornment. The Greek word "elpizō" (ἐλπίζω) means to hope or trust, indicating a confident expectation. These women placed their trust not in worldly securities or appearances but in God Himself. This hope was active and living, shaping their actions and attitudes.

and were submissive to their husbands
The word "submissive" (Greek: "hypotassō," ὑποτάσσω) means to arrange under or to yield. In the biblical context, this is not about inferiority but about a willing and loving deference that reflects the order and harmony God designed for marriage. This submission is rooted in mutual respect and love, mirroring the relationship between Christ and the Church.

(5) For after this manner.--Here we have not only the ground of the foregoing precepts, but also of the assurance that God sets a value on such embellishments. It had been accepted by Him in the holy women of old who hoped in Him, and would be accepted again. "The Apostle enforces his doctrine by example," says Leighton: "the most compendious way of teaching." By "holy women" he means, not only holy in character, but "sainted"--consecrated by their memories being recorded for our reverence in Holy Writ.

Who trusted in God.--It is a great pity that "trusted" should have been substituted for the original "hoped." The position of Sara and the holy women of the Old Testament was one of expectancy, of looking forward to the fulfilment of a promise; and the description of them as such is intended to make the readers of the letter feel the difference of their position. To them the promise to Sara was accomplished. The expression contains a reference to the mention of God in the last verse.

Adorned themselves, being in subjection.--The imperfect tense of the verb means "used to adorn themselves." They took daily pains thus to adorn themselves, and spent, perhaps, as long in the process as the other ladies over their toilette. The participle which is added explains more fully the "after this manner." Their subjection was their ornament.

Verse 5. - For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God; rather, who hoped in God (εἰς Θεόν); whose hope was set toward God and rested in God. Bengel says," Vera sanctitas, spes in Deum." St. Peter is the apostle of hope. Adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. The apostle bids Christian women to consider the example of the saintly women of the Old Testament. With their hope resting upon God, they could not care for finery and costly jewels. They adorned themselves with the more costly ornament of a meek and quiet spirit: they showed their meekness by living in subjection to their husbands. Submission to authority is the key-note of this part of the Epistle.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

this is how
Οὕτως (Houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

the
αἱ (hai)
Article - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

holy
ἅγιαι (hagiai)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

women
γυναῖκες (gynaikes)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

of the past
ποτε (pote)
Particle
Strong's 4218: At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.

adorned
ἐκόσμουν (ekosmoun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2885: To put into order; I decorate, deck, adorn. From kosmos; to put in proper order, i.e. Decorate; specially, to snuff.

themselves.
ἑαυτάς (heautas)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

They put their hope
ἐλπίζουσαι (elpizousai)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1679: To hope, hope for, expect, trust. From elpis; to expect or confide.

in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

God
Θεὸν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[and] were subject
ὑποτασσόμεναι (hypotassomenai)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5293: From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey.

to
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[their]
ἰδίοις (idiois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.

husbands,
ἀνδράσιν (andrasin)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.


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NT Letters: 1 Peter 3:5 For this is how the holy women (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)
1 Peter 3:4
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