"In the same way, you wives, 

be submissive to your own husbands

so that even if any of them are disobedient

to the word, they may be won without a word

by the behavior of their wives,

as they observe your chaste 

and respectful behavior."

I Peter 3:1-2

A little grain of sand in a oyster shell may produce a pearl.

Likewise, a rough rock in a stream may be tumbled smooth.

The grain of sand may be like the grain of mustard seed, a grain of truth that produces beautiful results.  Likewise, a rough rock tumbled in the river of life may become smooth with its rough edges removed.  The world that Peter was writing to was tumbled by the event of Christianity.  However, many feared it would become a violent overthrowing of power right down to the home.  

Therefore, as his word concerning slaves, so too Peter advised wives to be submissive, respectful, chaste.  This advice "was to allay suspicions engendered by the boldness with which Christianity proclaimed the freedom of the individual--gives reason, discreet charm of her piety, to be the great missionary of the faith." (Ellicott's Commentary)

In their time, as in the words of Aristotle, "among the barbarians, the woman and the slave hold the same rank."  Thus, the change Peter proposed was to be done "by the softening and purifying influences of religion, not by revolt; Christians wives must be peacemakers." (Pulpit Commentary)

The Aramaic Bible translation says, "In this way, also, you women, submit to your husbands, that you may win without labor those who do not obey the word by your beautiful way of life."  In the Greek, she is called, a woman, wife, my lady.

Just think of the consequences of the sweeping conversions to Christ in the Early Church if a woman, but not her husband, were saved.  If two rowing in different directions, the boat would go in circles.  Thus, the tension here is addressed.  In I Corinthians 7:16 it says, "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shall save thy husband?  or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?"

Friends of ours from our first church were an example of this.  The man was first converted, but his wife was not happy about it and repulsed any overtures concerning his faith.  It became the war over the radio channels, whether Christian or secular.  It took a pregnancy when doctors told them that their child was terribly deformed and would not survive, thus encouraging her to have an abortion.  They refused.  However, a Christian nurse prayed with the wife during this difficult labor, and not only was a perfect baby girl born, but also a newborn faith in Christ by her mother.