Daily Devotion in I Peter 3
The latter part of the previous chapter dealt with loving and respecting all men (I Peter 2:17). That principle is continued in this chapter on a more personal level. How husbands and wives should treat each other (I Peter 3:1-7) is taught.
Most women cringe at Peter’s admonition to them. Peter’s counsel was, “… ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands …” (I Peter 3:1). Perhaps because of pride, thoughts of men taking advantage, his not making the right choices, fear of not having any say in a marriage, or a host of other reasons, most women dislike this commandment in the Bible. However, it is still commanded in the Word of God that the wife should be subject to her husband.
In any relationship, there will be a leader. Observe two or more of any sex, and it will not be long until one assumes a leadership role. One may be more outspoken than another, have more suggestions than others, or may make more choices than the others. There will always be a leader in any relationship. A two-headed relationship will usually bring turmoil and tension.
God knows the nature of man. He definitely knows the personalities of men and women. With His wisdom, the Creator has designed man to be the responsible person in a marriage situation. The husband is to be the head of the household.
The difficult position a godly woman allows herself to be in can impact the husband. If a godly woman is married to an unsaved man, it is her Christ-like behavior, attitude, and speech (I Peter 3:1, 2) that may win the lost man to the Lord. Unsaved people are always watching how the saved live and react to life’s situations. A lost husband is no different, and a marriage relationship is the closest people can get. A godly wife can have a great influence over the husband.
Although a woman has her part in the marriage partnership, the man also has responsibilities. Nowhere in the Scriptures is the husband told to be an overbearing brute. The contrary is taught in the Scriptures. He is to treat her as tenderly as he can. If he does not treat her right, he will not get his prayers answered (I Peter 3:7).
The Bible tells us that when a man and a woman marry, the two become one flesh (Gen. 2:24). Because a man and woman are one body, it is right that the two work together. One is not better than the other. A woman submitting to a husband is not making her less than the man, as the woman’s rights advocates drum into women. They are equal; they just have different responsibilities and duties in a marriage.
God’s way for a man and woman to behave in a marriage works. The world’s way does not, as is proven by a divorce rate close to 50%. Ignore what the world has drummed into our heads and be the godly man or woman, as described in the Bible, and you too can have a successful marriage.
Today’s Thought:
“As a husband and wife grow closer to God, they also grow closer to each other!”
Words to Understand:
Chaste: modest; restrained
Plaiting: braided
Railing: complaining
Subjection: “the state of being under the power, control, and government of another” — Webster. 1828
Today’s Reading:
I Peter 3
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
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.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 ¶ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 ¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 ¶ The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
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