A Study of 1 Peter
Chapter 3: Lesson One
The Proper Relationship Between A Husband and His Wife
INTRODUCTION.
A. In I Peter 2:13, Peter began the section by writing, “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, . . .” (vs 13a, NKJV) Referring to those whom Christians were to submit themselves, Peter wrote, “. . . whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.” (13b-14, NKJV)
B. In I Peter 2:18, Peter told servants to be submissive to their masters.
C. In I Peter 3, Peter instructs wives to be in submission to their husbands as well as husbands giving honor to their wives. Let us now take a closer look at 1 Peter 3:1-7.
I. "LIKEWISE, YE WIVES, . . ."
A. Wives are to be in subjection (submission) to their own husbands. There are two primary reasons why the wife should be in submission to her husband.
1. As a faithful Christian, a wife has a duty to God to be in subjection to her husband. 1 Peter 2:13 teaches that Christians were to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. In the same since, wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands for the Lord’s sake. (vs 1a)
2. A wife with an unbelieving husband is to be in subjection to the unbelieving husband. (vs 1b-2)
a. If the wife, who is living a godly life, is in subjection to her unbelieving husband, the unbelieving husband will see her godly examples.
b. The phrase "chaste conversation" (vs 2) can also be rendered "chaste conduct" (NKJV) and "chaste and respectful behavior" (NASV).
c. When the wife lives a chaste (pure) life style, accompanied with fear or reverence for her husband, then the possibility exists that the husband could be won over by his wife's behavior.
B. In verses 3-6, Peter expounded on the "chaste conversation" or “chaste conduct” of the wife.
1. Every person will be known by his behavior. A woman's conduct must be chaste (pure). The only way a woman will maintain a chaste behavior is to put proper emphasis on those things which are most important: The inward man (woman).
2. Verse three is not saying that plaiting (arranging) one's hair, the wearing of gold, or the wearing of fine apparel is wrong. Peter’s point in verses 3-4 is that a woman should be MORE CONCERNED with her inward person rather than her outward appearance. (vs 3-4)
3. A wife's goal should be to make the hidden person of her heart incorruptible, possessing a gentle and quiet spirit.
a. “Meek” is translated from the Greek word "praus" {prah-ooce'}, which means "mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness." (Thayer)
b. “Gentle” is translated from the Greek word "hesuchio" {hay-soo'-khee-os}, which means "quiet, tranquil." (Thayer)
c. A godly wife should strive to be of a mild disposition, tranquil, not being boisterous or domineering. These traits are of great price in the sight of God.
d. When a woman concentrates TOO MUCH on her outward appearance, she will begin to neglect the more important "apparel."
4. Let us take a moment to consider some other passages related to this.
a. Ephesians 5:22-24, 33. Both 1 Peter 3:1-7 and Ephesians 5:22-24, 33 deal with the woman's relationship to her husband.
b. 1 Corinthians 11:8-12
c. 1 Timothy 2:9-14 – Both 1 Corinthians 11:8-12 and 1 Timothy 2:9-14 deal with the Christian woman's relationship to men who are Christians.
(1) The word silence in 1 Timothy 2:11 and 12 is translated from the Greek word "hesuchia " {hay-soo-khee'-ah}, which means quietness - "1a) description of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others 2) silence." (Thayer)
(2) The word quiet in 1 Peter 3:4 is from the Greek word "hesuchios" {hay-soo'-khee-os}, which, as stated earlier, means quiet, tranquil.
(3) The Greek word “hesuchia” - {hay-soo-khee'-ah} is used three times in the New Testament:
(a) Acts 22:2 – "(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)"
(b) 2 Thessalonians 3:12 – “Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work; and eat their own bread.”
(c) 1 Timothy 2:11-12 – "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."
(4) The Greek word "hesuchios" {hay-soo'-khee-os}, is used two times in the New Testament:
(a) 1 Timothy 2:2 – "For kings, and [for] all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
(b) 1 Peter 3:4 – "But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."
C. Consider an example of a woman with the right attitude. (vs 5,6)
II. “LIKEWISE, YE HUSBANDS . . .”
A. Husbands are to dwell with their wives with knowledge (understanding). (vs 7)
B. Husbands are to give honor to their wives as to the weaker vessel. (vs 7)
1. The word "honor" is translated from the Greek word "time" {tee-may’} which means "honour which belongs or is shown to one a) of the honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds b) deference, reverence." (Thayers)
2. There are times when husbands overlook the fact that they are to give honor to their wives. The wife is to be in subjection to her husband, but the husband is to give honor to his wife.
C. The husband and wife are HEIRS together of the grace of life if they are both children of God. (vs 7)
D. Husbands are to treat their wives in a proper manner so that their prayers are not hindered. (vs 7)
1. The word "hindered" is translated from the Greek word "ekkopto" {ek-kop'-to} which means "1) to cut out, cut off." (Thayers)
2. If a man does not dwell with his wife according to knowledge, if a man does not give honor unto his wife, "as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life," then his prayers will be cut off.
CONCLUSION.
A. Wives, ask yourself the following question:
1 "When compared to the godly women described in 1 Peter 3:1-6, how do I measure up?"
2. This question demands that you be completely HONEST with yourself.
3. If you find yourself coming up short of God's expectations, then WILL yourself to make any changes necessary in your life.
B. Husbands, ask yourselves the following question:
1. "Are my prayers being hindered or cut off because I am not treating my wife as expected by God?"
2. This question demands that the you be completely HONEST with yourself.
3. If you find yourself coming up short of God's expectations, then WILL yourself to make any changes necessary in your life.
C. If you are not a husband or a wife, then begin setting your life in the direction taught by God so that when you marry, you can be the best husband or wife possible.
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1 Peter 3 Lesson 1 -- October 12, 2003 -- File # 718
by John M. Duvall – Lawton, OK