On women Comparative study on 1 Peter 3 Efesians 5

What kind of writer?  Mark – action filled gospel  Matthew – Jewish OR  How does background of writer influence his Thoughts Illustrations Allusions to OT verses References to cultural practices?

Peter vs Paul  Peter Man of action Observer of Jesus Read Paul’s letters 1 Peter = mature Peter Direct man Uses similar terms in different contexts / meanings

1 Peter & Efesians 5  Be careful to read each in own context  Same wording / images is not equal to same meaning  Same terms – different contexts, logic  Sound similar – be more cautious

Terms Cannot cross reference!  1 Peter 3 (dis)obey submit yourselves lord Children fear  Efesians 5 obey submit yourselves Lord children fear

Obey  1 Peter 3 Addresses Christian wife with unsaved husband Why? To win him to Christ “women of old” living in exemplary way (humorous – both obeyed each other!) Disobey – speaks of husband, NOT wife to obey!  Efesians 5 Obey does NOT refer to wife, but to children, slaves

Submit yourselves  1 Peter 3 Ch2: submit to authority: inferior to superior Why? v12, 15 – pleasing & glorifying God Mixed marriages: master / servant tones gone All Christians – synonyms Same purpose: v15: witness to unsaved  Efesians 5 Context: life within body of Christ Greek word structure: how equals get along Submit to one another in fear of Lord = Colossians Married couple is example – submit in v22 implied from v21

Lord  1 Peter 3 Sarah – “lord” OT: term for “husband”  Efesians 5 “Lord” – Saviour Paul does NOT use term “Lord” for husband

Children  1 Peter 3 Status: Women NOT like children “adult believing descendants of Abraham”  Efesians 5 Children to obey parents NOT wife to obey!

Fear  1 Peter 3:2, 6 3:2 “respectful” = Fear of God v6: frightful to be at mercy of unmerciful power Do not submit out of fear for husband  Efesians 5 Two uses: Relational respect Positional: children & slaves Submit to one another out of fear for Christ

Context: 1 Peter  Section Theme: Doing good  Submission & respect is central to holy lifestyle  Results God praised Non-believers converted

1 Peter: 6 Types of submission  2:17 – love brotherhood  2:17, 3:2 – fear God who saved us  2:17 – honour the king  2:18 – respect your masters  3:1, 7 – be considerate of spouse  3:8 – be humble among believers

Efesians 5: Mutual submission  Submit  Love

Submission compared  1 Peter 3 Submission – action that bears witness Love Fear Honour Respect Be considerate Be humble  Efesians 5 Mutual submission in Body of Christ Submit as Christians Submit as church Love Love as in Eden