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.
Even as {G5613} Sara {G4564} obeyed {G5219} Abraham {G11}, calling {G2564} him {G846} lord {G2962}: whose {G3739} daughters {G5043} ye are {G1096}, as long as ye do well {G15}, and {G2532} are {G5399} not {G3361} afraid {G5399} with any {G3367} amazement {G4423}.
the way Sarah obeyed Avraham, honoring him as her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not succumb to fear.
just 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.
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.
-
Genesis 18:12
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? -
Romans 9:7
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. -
Romans 9:9
For this [is] the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. -
Daniel 3:16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. -
Daniel 3:18
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. -
Isaiah 57:11
And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid [it] to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not? -
Acts 4:19
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
1 Peter 3:6 continues Peter's instruction to Christian wives, specifically those married to unbelieving husbands, but also generally applicable to all believers. It draws a powerful parallel to the Old Testament matriarch, Sarah, as a model of reverent conduct and inner strength.
Context
This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Peter 3:1-7, which addresses various household relationships, particularly focusing on the conduct of wives and husbands. Peter encourages wives to win over their unbelieving husbands not by words, but by their chaste and respectful behavior (1 Peter 3:1-2). He contrasts outward adornment with the enduring beauty of a "meek and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4), which is precious in God's sight. Verse 6 solidifies this ideal by referencing Sarah.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "amazement" here is ekphobos (ἔκφοβος), meaning "terrified," "frightened," or "panic-stricken." It implies a state of being utterly startled or put into fear. Peter encourages believers not to succumb to such fear, but to maintain a calm and steady demeanor rooted in faith, even when facing difficult situations or opposition. This tranquil spirit is a manifestation of the "meek and quiet spirit" mentioned earlier.
Practical Application
For believers today, 1 Peter 3:6 offers timeless wisdom, particularly for women seeking to live out their faith in their homes and beyond: