1 Peter 3:5-6 ⁵For thus is how the former holy women who hoped in God adorned themselves by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, as you became children to do good and not fearing anything frightening.

Peter next gives a reason for why women should dress simply and work rather on their inner beauty. They could look to other holy women as examples. These women could include the past heroines of the faith, since Peter gives Sarah as an example. These women put their hope in God and not their own beauty or earthly resources. They showed their gentleness and reliance on God by submitting to their own husbands. Submitting was the outward expression of their love and respect (Ephesians 5:1–2, 21–24). Clothing and hair styles constantly change, but the inner qualities that model Christ do not change. Peter urges wives to find their self-worth in God and not things of the world, including clothing, hairstyle, and jewelry. Culture deceives women into thinking they need to dress or look a certain way to be beautiful, which is a lie that can be difficult to overcome.

Peter refers to Sarah and how she submitted to Abraham and called him lord in Genesis 18:12. The cultural practice in the patriarchal time was to give honor to the head of the clan, who, in this case, was Abraham. The word lord (kyrion) can be used as a sign of respect, like “sir” today. Peter directs women to be simple in their appearance and humble in their marriages, which would be one of the best testimonies they could give to their unbelieving husbands. Some of the Christian women of Asia Minor might have been in difficult positions of marriage to unbelieving men who might have been treating them unfairly or unkindly because of their new religion. Even Christian husbands could have been influenced negatively by the cultural practices that put women down, which Peter discusses in verse 7. Women had a lot to be afraid of, potentially including their own safety. They could put their hope in God while also providing a witness to their faith by their simple living and beautiful spirits.