1 Peter 3:2

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Peter 3:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “beholding your chaste behavior [coupled] with fear.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

beholding your chaste behavior [coupled] with fear.
1 Peter 3:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Peter 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2beholding your chaste behavior [coupled] with fear.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“While they behold your chaste conversation, etc.] Cheerful subjection, strong affection, and inviolable attachment to them, and strict regard to the honour of the marriage state, and to the preserving of the bed undefiled with lusts and adulteries: coupled with fear; with reverence of their husbands, giving them due honour, and showing all proper respect; or with the fear of God, which being before their eyes, and upon their hearts, engages them to such an agreeable conversation.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“behold--on narrowly looking into it, literally, "having closely observed." chaste--pure, spotless, free from all impurity. fear--reverential, towards your husbands. Scrupulously pure, as opposed to the noisy, ambitious character of worldly women.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“While they behold your chaste conversation - Your pure conduct. The word chaste here (ἁγνὴν hagnēn) refer’s to purity of conduct in all respects, and not merely to chastity properly so called. It includes that, but it also embraces much more. The conduct of the wife is to be in all respects pure; and this is to be the grand instrumentality in the conversion of her husband. A wife may be strictly chaste, and yet there may be many other things in her conduct and temper which would mar the beauty of her piety, and prevent any happy influence on the mind of her husband, Coupled with fear - The word fear, in this place, may refer either to the fear of God, or to a proper respect and reverence…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Joined with a loving fear of displeasing them. 1 Peter 3:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“behold: Pe1 3:16, Pe1 1:15, Pe1 2:12; Phi 1:27, Phi 3:20; Ti1 4:12; Pe2 3:11 with: Pe1 3:5, Pe1 3:6, Pe1 3:15; Eph 5:33, Eph 6:5; Col 3:22 1 Peter 3:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification