Wives and Husbands

I Peter 3:1–7
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Responsibility

Peter spoke to Christian wives were seeking to win their husbands to the Lord but were going about in the wrong way. There are few experiences more difficult in life than to be married to an unbeliever. God is dogmatic in his instruction of “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (II Corinthians 6:14). However, if a wife is converted and her husband remains unsaved, the wife’s attitude will be a huge factor in his salvation. A Christian wife should be submissiveto her husband, even if he is unsaved, for three reasons: (1) Obligation (v. 1). The Lord has commanded it, and he knows what is best for us, (2) Opportunity (v. 2). A submissive wife can win her husband to the Lord without a word, and (3)Ornament (vv. 3-6). Wives should focus on their inner character first before focusing on the eternal decorations. Peter was not forbidding the wearing of jewelry but simply saying that God is more concerned about what is on the inside.

 

Peter now reminds Christian husbands of four areas of responsibility in their marriages (v. 7):

 

1.     Physical “Dwell with them” – The Husband must make time to be home with his wife. 

2.     Intellectual “According to knowledge” – Ignorance is dangerous in any are of life, but it is especially dangerous in marriage.

3.     Emotional “Giving honor unto the wife” – Husbands should respect their wife’s feelings, thoughts, and desires. He may not agree with her ideas, but he respects them.

4.     Spiritual “That your prayers be not hindered” – Peter took for granted that husbands and wives would pray together. 

Application

What am I doing to do to build Godly character traits into my life and the life of my family? I need to be “thermostat” in the home, setting the physical, intellectual, emotional and spir­itual temperature. My wife needs to be the “thermome­ter,” letting me know what the temperature is.

I Peter 3:1-7 (English Standard Version)


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