1 Peter 3:1–12

Explore the Bible
Dean, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

EXERCISE SUBMISSION’S POWER
1 Peter 3:1–12

Power to Convince (1–6)
Peter had six times more to say to women than he did men. Peter treated the duties of wives at greater length possibly because there were more women than men in early Asian churches but more probably because women converts faced more difficulties if their spouses did not become Christians, too.

Christian wives must submit themselves to their husbands. In the original New Testament language, hupotasso meant simply “to arrange one’s life under another.” It was used in a military sense of troops under an officer’s command. As in the military, so in marriage, a wife’s submission implies neither the inferiority of women nor the superiority of men but rather speaks of her respect for divine order in the home. Unlike the military, submission of a wife to a husband is completely voluntary.

 And note the limitation. Peter commanded not the general submission of all women to all men everywhere but the particular submission of a wife to her own husband. That this was ever the way of godly women, Peter proved by pointing to Sarah, who obeyed her husband, Abraham (5–6).

Some object, saying this is not what women want. But is it not what Christian women should want? Misunderstood and abused it has been; but the command to submit must not be weakened or explained away. It means deferring to her husband’s wishes and trying to please him. It does not call upon a wife to participate in sinful or immoral deeds dictated by an unbelieving husband, but a Christian wife should look for ways to obey this command rather than searching for exceptions.

Christian women should also dress and groom modestly (3–4).

Peter offered two reasons for wifely submission. It pleases God (4b). Also such conduct may win over an unbelieving husband (1) without the preaching of the gospel. God can use Christian submission on the part of a wife to win an unsaved husband to faith in Christ.

Power to Honor (7)
A Christian husband must get acquainted with his wife in such a way that he can discern her unique needs and meet them and in so doing, live with her “considerately,” i.e. “according to knowledge.” He must begin by understanding that women are different. A wife’s emotional, sexual, psychological and other needs are not the same as those of her husband. A husband must learn his wife’s needs to know how to please her. And pleasing his mate should be the goal of his life.

Also a Christian husband must treat his wife with respect. Some men show more courtesy to total strangers than to their own wives. Because women are weaker physically, husbands must never bully them. And a husband must recognize that his wife enjoys equal standing with God. Here, unlike in verses 1–6, Peter envisioned a marriage where both partners are Christians.

Failure to treat his wife as he should will “hinder” a man’s prayers and make them fruitless. Husbands that honor their wives and do not use their God-given leadership role selfishly or harshly give a powerful Christian example to their families and communities.

Power to be Blessed (8–12)
In verse 8, Peter commended five virtues — harmony, sympathy, brotherly love, compassion and humility. In verse 9, he condemned a vice — repaying evil with evil — and commended the corresponding virtue — repaying evil with blessing — all for the purpose of promoting good relationships among Christians. To “bless” is to call down God’s goodness on a person. Psalm 34:12–16 supports what Peter wrote in verses 8–9. It is impossible to display these virtues without an attitude of submission to fellow believers.

Christians that bless those who do evil to them will, in turn, “inherit a blessing.” This blessing includes, but is not limited to, spending the hereafter with the Lord. Also it involves enjoying God’s blessing on obedience in the here and now.

Believers are blessed and bless others by relating to them in loving submission.