There is one example only in the Old Testament of Sarah actually using the word “lord” in relation to her husband (Genesis 18:12). Yet that passage hardly serves as an example of how the “wives” of Peter’s day need to dress themselves since, a) there is no indication of obedience (submission) in the context of Genesis 18:12, and b) there is no indication in the moment of the passage that Sarah “hoped in God”; on the contrary. More helpful is a passage as Genesis 12:10–13 where Sarai submitted to Abram’s (ill-advised) request to identify herself in Egypt as Abram’s sister and so implicitly treated him as lord
—a submission repeated in Genesis 20:1–2 in relation to Abimelech. Peter would have us know that Sarah looked beyond the mess of the moment to God who was able to deliver—even from her husband’s wrong-headed leadership (after all, what could Pharaoh or Abimelech do to her!). The “wives” Peter addresses ought to do the same—even when their unbelieving husbands request uncomfortable conduct from them.
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.