As temporary residents among the nations, let them abstain from fleshly desires and maintain fine conduct. Let them be subject to “every human creation,” whether to a king or to his governors. Yes, let them “honor men of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, have honor for the king.” Likewise, let servants be in subjection to their owners, with a good conscience, bearing up under unjust suffering. Even Christ, though sinless, submitted to reviling and suffering, leaving “a model” so that his steps could be followed closely.​—2:9, 13, 17, 21.

8. (a) What sound admonition is given wives and husbands? (b) What is necessary for one to come into possession of a good conscience before God?

⁸ Subjection applies also to wives, who through chaste conduct together with deep respect may even win over unbelieving husbands without a word. Their concern should not be external adornment. It should be as it was with the obedient Sarah, “the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God.”

12. (a) What relative subjection must be rendered to rulers and to owners? (b) What does Peter admonish regarding wifely submission and the husband’s headship? (c) What Christian quality is emphasized throughout the letter?

¹² Many other aspects of Christian subjection are touched on in Peter’s letter, and excellent advice is given. At 1 Peter 2:13-17, proper subjection to the rulers, such as a king and governors, is counseled. However, this is to be a relative subjection, being for the Lord’s sake and coupled with “fear of God,” whose slaves Christians are. House servants are exhorted to be in subjection to their owners and to bear up if they have to suffer “because of conscience toward God.” Wives are also given invaluable admonition concerning subjection to husbands, including unbelieving ones, it being shown that their chaste, respectful conduct is “of great value in the eyes of God” and may even win their husbands to the truth. Here Peter uses the illustration of Sarah’s faithful submission to Abraham to underscore the point. (1 Pet. 2:17-20; 3:1-6; Gen. 18:12) Husbands, in turn, should exercise their headship with proper consideration for the “weaker vessel.” Still on this topic, Peter exhorts: “In like manner, you younger men, be in subjection to the older men.” And then he emphasizes the need for lowliness of mind, humility, a Christian quality that is emphasized throughout his letter.​—1 Pet. 3:7-9; 5:5-7; 2:21-25.