Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile
LIVING AT HOME
1 Peter 3:1–12
Wives: Submit and Influence (1–6)
Just as Jesus was submissive to the will of Father God, so should Christian wives be submissive to their own husbands. The Spirit-filled wife will obediently submit to the leadership of her husband. There is much confusion and oftentimes outright rejection concerning this command.
Submission does not mean the husband is the ultimate authority. Jesus is the ultimate authority in every sphere of life. Submission does not mean that a wife cannot have independent thoughts or never seek to influence her husband. The wise husband listens intently to his God-given best friend and counselor. Submission is a matter of order, not of value. God created both males and females in His image, but they are assigned different roles. Differing roles do not imply inferiority. Submission has its limits. The wife should never violate Scripture in her submission. Submission in a marriage is a testimony to a lost world, and sometimes that lost world begins in the home.
Peter encourages godly wives to yield to the leadership of their husbands even if they are not Christians. Never come home with a DVD of the morning sermon and play it loudly over your husband’s football game that is on TV. Preach a wordless sermon through your Christlike life. Live in such a way that he can clearly see the love of Jesus. Cultivate true beauty. Do not major on external decorations but rather internal character. Beauty does not come from the store. It comes from the heart.
Peter uses Sarah as an example for godly women to imitate. How can this be? Sarah laughed at God and suggested an unethical method for birthing a son. Sarah was not perfect, but by the grace of God she made progress. Her testimony can inspire godly women to remain faithful by submitting to their husbands and by seeking to influence them for Christ. Godly wife, are you exemplifying Jesus’ character in your marriage?
Husbands: Understand and Honor (7)
God is still asking the question He addressed to Adam in Genesis 3:9. God asked, “Adam, where are you?” Too often men fall into one of two extremes: chauvinism or cowardice. God intends the man to lead his wife by taking primary responsibility for Christlike servant leadership, protection and provision in the home.
It is essential for Christian husbands to understand the gospel and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, seek to be conformed into the image of Jesus. Jesus is the perfect Man. He took responsibility as our covenant head. As you follow Jesus you learn to lead. To be a man means to take responsibility as covenant head in the marriage.
Godly husband, study your wife and live with her in an understanding way. Honor her physically, emotionally, verbally, financially, practically and spiritually. Work hard to keep your hearts knit together in love. Not to honor your wife properly is a sin, and sin hinders your prayers. The prayer life of the couple indicates how things are really going in the home. Godly husband, are you growing in your understanding of your wife so that you can better serve her and glorify God as covenant head in your marriage?
All: Love and Bless (8–12)
All Christians, married or single, are to love one another by demonstrating unity, tenderness and humility. Christians should quickly forgive people who sin against them and never repay evil for evil. Never lower yourself to play on their level. Ask God to show His favor and grace upon those who have hurt you. Restrain how you talk to those who commit evil against you. Regulate how you act. The Christian must make a conscious effort to turn away from evil and do good. Remember who is watching you. The Lord has His eyes on the righteous and hears their prayers, but He sets Himself against those who do evil. Conversion leads to transformation. No one meets Jesus and stays the same. Living a godly life does not earn salvation, but it is an evidence of it.
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