The Bible was written to people in a specific culture and period of history. Its spiritual truths and life principles are timeless and for all generations, but its means of conveying them may be specific to that culture and time. While the examples used may in some cases be culturally archaic, the truths conveyed are just as relevant to our lives today as they were in the time they were written.
Observations about wives and husbands in the 1st century
Marriage was most often arranged, largely on financial or strategic basis for the sake of the greater family
Emotional ties between husbands and wives were not necessarily close
A man’s closest relationships were typically with his mother and siblings, not his fathers or wife
A women’s closest relationships were her their children, not her husband
Women were far less educated in religious and secular life
Women were not equal socially, they were subjugated to their husbands, parents, or even male siblings.
Christian submission
Peter was not teaching a doctrine of female submission. Rather he was teaching how Christian wives ought to live in a culture that expected female submission.
In 1 Peter 2 we are taught that Christians are to submit themselves to every human authority, just or unjust. It is this context that chapter 3 begins with in saying, “Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves” to your husbands as expected by the culture you live in.
What purpose was Peter encouraging with his charge to Christian wives in 3:1-2?
The evangelism of their husbands by which they would win their family (since children were to be taught the faith of their fathers.)
This is consistent with Peter’s charge to all believers in chapter 2
In light of verse 3 is it right for Christian people to dress-up and adorn themselves in fine clothes, jewelry, hair styles, etc?
This passage is not saying anything about what Christians should wear, only that the most obvious thing about us should be the way we live not the way we dress.
What instruction do Christian husbands receive in verse 7?
Be considerate of our wives, and respond to them in recognition of the unique way God has designed them
Treat them with respect
Recognize that we are both heirs of the life of Christ (they don’t gain their worth or salvation through us, as some faith’s teach)
What does it mean that our prayers not be hindered?
God wants the relationships in our lives to be whole. He has reconciled us to Him. He expects us to remain reconciled with each other as husbands and wives, as churches, as employees, as friends. Not doing so hinders our relationship with God.

1 Peter 3:1-7