1. The First Epistle of Peter
I Peter 3:5-7 - “Sarah’s Example and Husbands”
I Peter 3:5 - For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,
The theme of submission continues
Government, slave/master relationship, to Christ, and now to marriage
In context – do you think that this is only for women with unsaved husbands?
For in what manner?
with the incorruptible gentle and quiet spirit – verse 4
And how beautiful and uplifting this is.
Can you describe this?
In former times – once, i.e. formerly, aforetime, at some time
Here in patriarchal times
The holy women who trusted (hoped) in God.
And this list could include other women such as Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Ruth, Hannah, etc. 1
May 24, 2015 Bob Eckel 1

2. The First Epistle of Peter
I Peter 3:5-7 - “Sarah’s Example and Husbands”
Can we equate being a holy woman as one who trusted in God?
Rom 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
1 Cor 7:34 - There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please husband.
And the same thing is said about married men in 1 Cor 7:33!
But then there’s this for the wife
1 Cor 7:35 - And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
Also adorned themselves
Adorned – imperfect, active, indicative
They kept on making decisions to adorn themselves.
How do you think these women looked?
1 Tim 2: in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 2
May 24, 2015 Bob Eckel 2

3. The First Epistle of Peter
I Peter 3:5-7 - “Sarah’s Example and Husbands”
1Pet 3:3,4 - Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—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.
But don’t look like a mess either!
A meek and quite spirit does not revoke looking nice.
being submissive to their own husbands
God speaks to wives elsewhere in the NT.
Eph 5:18, Col 3:18, 1 Tim, 2:9-15, Titus 2:4,5
I like how McCalley defines submission.
‘positive responses to Divinely delegated authority’.
But does that condone negative response's when Divinely delegated authority is not evident?
1 Peter 3:6 - as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
How did Sarah obey Abraham? 3
May 24, 2015 Bob Eckel 3

4. The First Epistle of Peter
I Peter 3:5-7 - “Sarah’s Example and Husbands”
She called him Lord (Hebrew) (Gen 18:12) or ‘Sir’ in Greek.
Implies trust and respect, and in the absence of fear and any terror (amazement is a better term here).
Prov 3:25 - Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
Think of several other examples of this obedience of Sarah in respect of Abraham.
Leaving for Canaan – Gen 12:5,11,13
Making meals when asked when the angels were at the tent – Gen 18:6
To respond in this manner identifies the wife with Sarah (daughters) and puts her in God’s will – and at times with suffering because of her husband being out of God’s will.
1 Pet 3:14 - But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
Moreover, and despite doubting Abraham initially (she laughed).
Heb 11:11 - By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
Gen 4:23 - But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 4
May 24, 2015 Bob Eckel 4

5. The First Epistle of Peter
I Peter 3:5-7 - “Sarah’s Example and Husbands”
But don’t try to imitate Sarah, rather walk by the power of the Spirit in the new man, Christ Jesus
To conclude about ‘our’ wives, men:
Prov 31:10 - Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
1 Peter 3:7 - 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.
Why husbands likewise?
Only one verse for husbands and six for wives?
The vulnerability is much higher with unsaved husbands.
But don’t some saved men have unsaved wives?
Dwell with them with understanding
Dwell with them – spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical
Understanding what? 5
May 24, 2015 Bob Eckel 5

6. The First Epistle of Peter
I Peter 3:5-7 - “Sarah’s Example and Husbands”
A better translation is according to knowledge (gnosis) - experiential
Giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel
Honor – treat her as having great value and worthy.
What does weaker vessel mean here?
Weaker just physically?
Geneva – ‘The woman is called a vessel (Hebrew), because the husband uses her as his friend and helper, to live faithfully before God.’
1 Thess 4:4 - That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;
And as being heirs together of the grace of life
And that grace of life is Christ is jointly shared by husband and wife who are one in Him
Rom 8:17 - and if children, then heirs,—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
That your prayers may not be hindered.
Why would the husband’s or even joint prayers be hindered?
As if an obstacle were obstructing.
Is this different than any other fleshly act unconfessed? 6
May 24, 2015 Bob Eckel 6

7. How you doing guys? The First Epistle of Peter
I Peter 3:5-7 - “Sarah’s Example and Husbands”
Eph Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her
How you doing guys? 7
May 24, 2015 Bob Eckel 7