This is a passage that is difficult for our 21st Century ears to hear. The interesting thing is that while this passage fits in with the larger picture of what the Bible has to say about marriage, Peter has a particular focus in mind: Christian women married to non-Christian husbands. While both affirming and subverting the Roman Household codes, wives submissions to their husbands is meant to reflect their inner desire to please God and have their hope in Him. Wives respectful conduct is the way that their husbands will be won to believing in Jesus as they show forth the heart of Christ before them. And most of all, this is what God Himself values as precious.