1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 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.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Peter continues to instruct us on Godly living in submission to Christ’s example. Women are called to submit to their own husbands. This is not a command for women to be subordinate to men in general but only to their husbands as part of the order within the home. A wife’s submission is not dependent on her husband’s walk with the Lord. If they are not walking with the Lord, whether a disobedient believer or an unbeliever, they may be won without a word by observing the conduct of their wives. A wife’s actions will speak louder than her words. While the world may prize women without outward beauty and adornment, God prizes a woman with a gentle and quiet spirit. This doesn’t mean a woman should not wear nice clothes, jewelry, or make-up but that should not be the focus. The Christian woman is to adorn herself with godly character. Remember, man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7). Peter uses Sarah, Abraham’s wife as an example. Twice Sarah was told by Abraham to lie about being his wife and she had to trust God to deliver her from the kings’ harems (Gen 12;20). Peter acknowledges that life with some husbands may be equally frightening and yet wives are to submit to their husbands like Sarah did and then trust fully in God.
Again Peter uses the word likewise to remind us that husbands are also to live in submission to Christ’s example. Men are to treat their wives with understanding, showing them honour and recognising they are the weaker partner. Women are physically and perhaps emotionally more easily hurt, but not inferior in any way. This weakness is to be honoured, not exploited or abused in any way by her husband. Peter reminds husbands that their wives stand before God with them as equal participants in the eternal inheritance God is reserving in heaven for every believer (1 Peter 1:4). Then he warns husbands that God will not listen to the prayers of a man who does not honour his wife.
It is certainly harder to live the way God has called us to live when we believe someone else should change first. This is certainly true in marriage. But God calls us to live a holy life with Jesus as our example in spite of how our spouse might be living. Will you choose to do things God’s way even if your spouse hasn’t?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Zechariah’s Visions Part Two: Zechariah 3-4