3:2

This verse is the reason of the result of 3:1a–c. You should introduce and connect it to 3:1 in a way that is natural in your language. In some languages it may be more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

Your husbands will see… (New Century Version)

when they see: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when they see is literally “seeing.” In this context it is equivalent to “because they see” (as in the Good News Translation). The Greek verb is the same as in 2:12c and means to observe closely.

your pure and reverent demeanor: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as your pure and reverent demeanor is more literally “your pure way of life in fear.” The phrase “in fear” refers to fearing God. In some languages it may be natural to translate the phrase “in fear” as an adjective, as the Berean Standard Bible has done. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in what a pure and reverent way you live
-or-
how pure and reverent are your lives
-or-
how pure and reverent your conduct is (Good News Translation)

pure: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pure refers to holy and chaste behavior. Another way to translate pure is:

sincere

reverent: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reverent is literally “fear.” It is the same as in 2:18a (note on “respect”). There are two ways of understanding this word in this context:

(1) It refers to reverence for God. For example:

your respect for God (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation, New Century Version)

(2) It refers to respect for the husband. For example:

respectful behavior (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible)

The King James Version does not indicate whom the women were to fear. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation is implied by the use of the word reverence in the majority of English versions.

General Comment on 3:1c–3:2

In some languages it may be natural to reorder the clauses of 3:1c and 3:2 in this way:

1c Even though you do not speak about Christ to them, 2 they will see that you behave in a way that is holy and pious/reverential. 1c Then they will turn and believe in him.

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