John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. For after this manner in the old time , etc.] In ages past, the years of many generations, since the time that God created man upon earth; in the times before the flood, and after it; in the times of the patriarchs, judges, kings, and prophets of Israel, under the Old Testament dispensation. The apostle exhorts and encourages to this inward dress and ornament, from the antiquity of it: for in this way, and after this fashion, the holy women also : who were sanctified by the Spirit of God, and lived holy lives and conversations, such as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Ruth, Hannah, and others: who trusted in God ; that he would send the Messiah, and make good all his promises, judging and believing him to be faithful to his word, and able to fulfil whatever he had promised, as Sarah, ( Hebrews 11:11). Such holy and believing women as these are worthy of imitation in their adorning and dress, and who, in the manner before described by the apostle, adorned themselves; or this was the adorning which they sought after, valued, and chiefly regarded; not what was external, but internal: and which lay in meekness and humility, and in a quiet deportment, and in being in subjection unto their own husbands ; according to their original make, and natural relation, and the laws of God, and of creation; which is more becoming and adorning than plaiting of hair, wearing of gold, or costly raiment, and recommends them more, both in the sight of God and men; nothing being a more indecent and uncomely sight than a woman not in subjection to her husband.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The wife must discharge her duty to her own husband, though he obey no the word. We daily see how narrowly evil men watch the ways and live of professors of religion. Putting on of apparel is not forbidden, but vanity and costliness in ornament. Religious people should take car that all their behaviour answers to their profession. But how few know the right measure and bounds of those two necessaries of life, food an raiment! Unless poverty is our carver, and cuts us short, there is scarcely any one who does not desire something beyond what is good for us. Far more are beholden to the lowliness of their state, than the lowliness of their mind; and many will not be so bounded, but lavis their time and money upon trifles. The apostle directs Christia females to put on something not corruptible, that beautifies the soul even the graces of God's Holy Spirit. A true Christian's chief car lies in right ordering his own spirit. This will do more to fix the affections, and excite the esteem of a husband, than studied ornament or fashionable apparel, attended by a froward and quarrelsome temper Christians ought to do their duty to one another, from a willing mind and in obedience to the command of God. Wives
should be subject to their 
