1 Peter 3 · Verse 5

1 Peter 3:5

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:
1 Peter 3:5, King James Version

1 Peter 3:5 in other translations

BSBFor this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands,
WEBFor this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands.
ASVFor after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
YLTfor thus once also the holy women who did hope on God, were adorning themselves, being subject to their own husbands,
DARBYFor thus also the holy women who have hoped in God heretofore adorned themselves, being subject to their own husbands;
BBEAnd these were the ornaments of the holy women of the past, whose hope was in God, being ruled by their husbands:
WebsterFor after this manner in former times the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

What does 1 Peter 3:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. after this manner--with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit (compare the portrait of the godly wife, Pr 31:10-31). trusted--Greek, "hoped." "Holy" is explained by "hoped in (so as to be 'united to,' Greek) God." Hope in God is the spring of true holiness [Bengel]. in subjection--Their ornament consisted in their subordination. Vanity was forbidden (1Pe 3:3) as being contrary to female subjection.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. For after this manner, in the old time. The allusion here is particularly to the times of the patriarchs, and the object of the apostle is to state another reason why they should seek that kind of ornament which he had been commending. The reason is, that this characterised the pious and honoured females of ancient times--those females who had been most commended of God, and who were most worthy to be remembered on earth.

Who trusted in God. Greek, "Who hoped in God;" that is, who were truly pious. They were characterised by simple trust or hope in God, rather than by a fondness for external adorning.

Adorned themselves. To wit, with a meek and quiet spirit, manifested particularly by the respect evinced for their husbands.

Being in subjection unto their own husbands. This was evidently a characteristic of the early periods of the world; and piety was understood to consist much in proper respect for others, according to the relations sustained towards them.

(*) "unto" "subject to"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 For after this manner - Simplicity reigned in primitive times; natural ornaments alone were then in use. Trade and commerce brought in luxuries; and luxury brought pride, and all the excessive nonsense of Dress. No female head ever looks so well as when adorned with its own hair alone. This is the ornament appointed by God. To cut it off or to cover it is an unnatural practice; and to exchange the hair which God has given for hair of some other color, is an insult to the Creator. How the delicacy of the female character can stoop to the use of false hair, and especially when it is considered that the chief part of this kind of hair was once the natural property of some ruffian soldier, who fell in battle by many a ghastly wound, is more than I can possibly comprehend. See the notes on 1Cor 11:14-16 (note); and 1Tim 2:9 (note). Who trusted in God - The women who trust Not in God are fond of dress and frippery; those who trust in God follow nature and common sense. Being in subjection unto their own husbands - It will rarely be found that women who are fond of dress, and extravagant in it, have any subjection to their husbands but what comes from mere necessity. Indeed, their dress, which they intend as an attractive to the eyes of others, is a sufficient proof that they have neither love nor respect for their own husbands. Let them who are concerned refute the charge.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 3:1-7

The wife must discharge her duty to her own husband, though he obey not the word. We daily see how narrowly evil men watch the ways and lives of professors of religion. Putting on of apparel is not forbidden, but vanity and costliness in ornament. Religious people should take care that all their behaviour answers to their profession. But how few know the right measure and bounds of those two necessaries of life…

Read the full comment on 1 Peter 3:1-7 →

1 Peter 3:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὕτωςhoutōsIn this wayG3779
γάρgarforG1063
ποτεpoteformerlyG4218
καὶkaialsoG2532
αἱhaitheG3588
ἅγιαιhagiaiholyG40
γυναῖκεςgunaikeswomenG1135
αἱhaithoseG3588
ἐλπίζουσαιelpizousaihopingG1679
εἰςeisinG1519
θεὸνtheonGodG2316
ἐκόσμουνekosmounwere adorningG2885
ἑαυτάςhe'autasthemselvesG1438
ὑποτασσόμεναιhupotassomenaibeing subjectG5293
τοῖςtois<the>G3588
ἰδίοιςidioisto [their] ownG2398
ἀνδράσιν·andrasinhusbands;G435

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Peter 3:5

  • 1 Timothy 5:5

    Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

  • Titus 2:3-4

    The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

  • 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, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

  • Proverbs 31:30

    Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

  • 1 Timothy 2:15

    Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

  • 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.

  • 1 Timothy 5:10

    Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

  • Acts 9:36

    Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

  • Jeremiah 49:11

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

  • Hebrews 11:11

    Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

  • 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.

  • 1 Peter 3:2-4

    While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the holy.
Pr 31:10,30; Lu 8:2,3; Ac 1:14; 9:36; 1Ti 2:10; 5:10; Tit 2:3,4
who.
1Sa 2:1; Jer 49:11; Lu 2:37; 1Ti 2:15; 5:5; Heb 11:11
adorned.
2-4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Peter 3:4

    But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

  • 1 Peter 3:5

    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:

  • 1 Peter 3:6

    Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Read all of 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque así también se ataviaban en el tiempo antiguo aquellas santas mujeres que esperaban en Dios, siendo sujetas á sus maridos:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car c’est ainsi que jadis se paraient aussi les saintes femmes qui espéraient en Dieu, étant soumises à leurs propres maris,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn also schmückten sich auch einst die heiligen Weiber, die ihre Hoffnung auf Gott setzten, indem sie ihren eigenen Männern unterwürfig waren:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sic enim aliquando et sanctæ mulieres, sperantes in Deo, ornabant se, subjectæ propriis viris.