1 Peter 3:1-7 Better Husbands Better Husbands & Better Wives & Better Wives
CONTEXTCONTEXT Neither are Christians (Bad husband - bad wife) She Obeys Gospel (Better wife - poor husband) Her example converts him (Better husband - Better wife) Responsibilities are part of being holy (1:15-16)
1 ¶ Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Better Wives (vv. 1-6) Priority/Emphasis: Spiritual
Priority / Emphasis Spiritual Fears & Trust in God (vv. 2, 5) Concerned About Husbands Soul (vv. 1-2) Pure (v. 2) Focus on Inward - Not Outward (vv. 3-6)
Not: Labor for meat that perishes (Jno. 6:27) But: Labor for meat that endures (Jno. 6:27) Not: Outward adorning hair/gold/apparel (1 Pet. 3:3) But: Hidden person of Heart (Jno. 6:27)
Better Wives (vv. 1-6) Priority/Emphasis: Spiritual Respects Her Husband
Respects Her Husband Submits to Him / Obeys (vv. 1, 6) As her Lord [leader] (v. 6) Fear (v. 2)
Better Wives (vv. 1-6) Priority/Emphasis: Spiritual Respects Her Husband Disciplined
Disciplined Watches What She Says (v. 1) Watches Her Example At Home (vv. 1-2) Sincere (v. 4) Gentle & Quiet Spirit (v. 4)
Better Husbands (v. 7) Priority: Relationship to God
Priority: Motive: That Prayers - Not Hindered Concern: How His Relationship to God is Affected What Godly woman would not want to follow such man?
Better Husbands (v. 7) Leader Priority: Relationship to God
Leader Takes Responsibility Leads with Understanding & Respect
Better Husbands (v. 7) Leader Priority: Relationship to God Respects His Wife
Respects His Wife Understanding Honors Her Weaker Vessel Views Her as an Equal
Better Marriages Gods Word Is The Standard
Gods Word Is The Standard Not: > Own concepts > What everyone else does Means: Different / Hard / Change
Better Marriages Communicate Gods Word Is The Standard
Communicate Evidence: He leads - she submits He understands Means: Talk & Discuss rather than fuss & fume Agree before they act
Better Marriages Thinking of The Other Communicate Gods Word Is The Standard
Thinking of the Other She: > Yields to his leadership > Concerned about his soul He: > Wants to understand her > Views her as precious vessel Practice: > Self Denial (Mark 8:34) > Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12; Phil. 2:4)
Better Husbands (v. 7) Better Husbands Better Husbands & Better Wives & Better Wives Better Wives (vv. 1-6) Better Marriages