Wives and Husbands – 1 Peter 3:1-7
Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; 4 rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 5 It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. 6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.
7 Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.
What does the passage say?
V. 1 – 6 Eugene Peterson, author of the Message Bible, titles this section as, “Cultivate Inner Beauty.” The command of Peter is directed not only to the wives at that time, but also for us as believers.
The main idea of this passage is to live in a way to win others for Christ.
He asks the wives to submit themselves to their husbands, especially to the ones who do not believe.
Not only by serving others, Peter ask them to focus more on their inner beauty, rather than to focus on their outward appearance. His call for women was to be holy.
V. 7 Peter talks to the husband to do the same. He says, ‘in the same way,’ meaning that all above applies to husbands, as well. On top of that, Peter asks the husbands to be sensitive to their wives, due to their “lack of some advantages.” Men are to care and love their wives with a tender heart. Why? For one reason. To win their hearts for our Lord.
What does this mean to me/us
This passage is another epistle of the apostles, talking about Christian couple’s relations. As we look back on to the previous chapters, Peter is pointing out a new identity to the believers. To be holy priesthoods, bridgebuilders. This identity has to start in their households. His intention is not to put women’s right down, but to introduce a new identity to both women and man.
Our action and love of our inner holiness have to be reflecting our outward appearance. All Christians have to strive to reach this stage of when others see “the purity and reverence [to God] of our lives” (v.2). When others can see the holiness in us, this is when we can become true bridge builders. And this has to start with our families, with the ones who are closest to us, and the ones who we love the most.
Can we rethink of how we love and respect our spouses and family members today?
What does this MEAN to you?
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