1 Peter 3:5

“For after this manner in the old time, etc.] In ages past, the years of many generations, since the time that God created man upon earth; in the times before the flood, and after it; in the times of the patriarchs, judges, kings, and prophets of Israel, under the Old Testament dispensation. The apostle exhorts and encourages to this inward dress and ornament, from the antiquity of it: for in this way, and after this fashion, the holy women also: who were sanctified by the Spirit of God, and lived holy lives and conversations, such as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Ruth, Hannah, and others: who trusted in God; that he would send the Messiah, and make good all his promises, judging and…”

“after this manner--with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit (compare the portrait of the godly wife, Pro. 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 (Pe1 3:3) as being contrary to female subjection.”

“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 characterized the pious and honored 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 characterized 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…”

“The adorning of those holy women, who trusted in God, and therefore did not act thus from servile fear, was, Their meek subjection to their husbands: Their quiet spirit, "not afraid," or amazed: and Their unblamable behaviour, "doing" all things "well." 1 Peter 3:6”

“the holy: Pro 31:10, Pro 31:30; Luk 8:2, Luk 8:3; Act 1:14, Act 9:36; Ti1 2:10, Ti1 5:10; Tit 2:3, Tit 2:4 who: Sa1 2:1; Jer 49:11; Luk 2:37; Ti1 2:15, Ti1 5:5; Heb 11:11 adorned: Pe1 3:2-4 1 Peter 3:6”