Christ In Our Home

1 Peter 3:1-7

Christ in the Home

In chapter 2, Peter addresses submission to civil authority and employers. He continues the theme of submission in chapter 3 by saying, “…wives, be submissive to your own husbands.” This is not, nor has it been, a popular topic of discussion in or out of Scripture. It has caused division in many areas of society and has blatantly and subtly destroyed many families, sometimes through ignorant misinterpretation and often through deliberate misinterpretation.

CONTEXT – But let’s first understand the context. In first-century Greco-Roman culture, the father had ultimate life-and-death authority over his wife and children. That authority transferred to the son-in-law upon marrying one of the father’s daughters. [Joseph had authority to stone Mary.] If a woman decided to be obedient to the gospel, that decision to change religions on her own could result in severe abuse from her unsaved husband. When the topic came up, the wife needed to know how to respond to her husband so that she might win him to the gospel. Her essential duty was to be submissive, as described in chapter 2 concerning civil and workplace relations.

1.A Wife’s Godly Witness – (v.1-6)

·The believing wife has the responsibility to stay with her unbelieving husband. If he wants to maintain the union, she must not divorce because of her new faith. (1 Corinthians 7:13)

oUnsaved spouses benefit from the divine blessings their saved spouses receive from God. (1 Corinthians 7:14)

oIf the unbelieving husband chooses to leave, the believing wife is to let him go since attempting to maintain the union will cause strife, but Christians are called to peace. (1 Corinthians 7:15) In this case, the husband is considered dead, and the believing wife is therefore now free to remarry. (1 Corinthians 7:39)

·“In the same way” (v.1) – refers to Peter’s teaching of being submissive to civil authority and employers (chapter 2).

oPaul also teaches on the wives' submissiveness in Ephesians 5:22-23.

oSubmissiveness does not imply any moral, intellectual, or spiritual inferiority in the family, workplace, or society in general. – Christian men and women are equal in Christ (Gal 3:27-28)

oThe wife’s godly behavior is the most valuable testimony to open the husband’s heart to the gospel. The wife’s behavior helps the husband see that Christ's grace is believable.

·Beauty inside and out (v.3-6)

oJust as you take the time to present yourselves outwardly to everyone else, also take the time to prepare your personal self. So the person someone sees with their eyes is the same person they see with their mind and heart.

2.The Husband’s Responsibility – (v.7)

·A husband is to be submissive in service to his wife, just as she submits to his authority.

·Three Directives:

oConsider her – “understanding” – consider her deepest physical and emotional needs. - “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)

oBe chivalrous – “weaker” only means that women generally have less physical strength than men. It in no way means weaker intellect or character. Husbands are to be sacrificial providers and protectors. This is God’s design.

oBe a Companion – Your wife is an “heir together of the grace of life” with you, not beneath you.

oSo that “your prayers may not be hindered.”