ByIn 1 Peter 3:1-6, the Apostle hits hard on believing wives being submissive to their husbands, whether they are born again or not. And that Word is much needed in our world as in the early church days.
Did you know Peter was married before He joined Jesus’ team? The name of his wife isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Bible. But in Matthew 8:14, it’s written that Jesus went into Peter’s house to heal his mother-in-law, who was sick with a fever. If he wasn’t married, how would he have a mother-in-law? Think about that.
Because Peter was married, what he wrote in his epistle was more practical. He had marital experience and knew what it meant for God’s call to be so binding that it took him away from home till only God knows when. In today’s study-scripture article, I’d be elaborating on 1 Peter 3:1-6, where the Apostle spoke much about wives. Let’s dive in.
Verse 1-2
[1] “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, [2] when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.”
1 Peter 3:1-2 NKJV
So after Peter told us to be submissive to authorities and bosses at work, he turned his focus to wives. But from a careful reading of the verse above, it sounds like he was targeting women in difficult marriages. Of a truth, God never intends that any of His children will have difficulties in marriage. But it’s not always the case. Sometimes, people encounter Jesus after they’re married. And because they didn’t follow God’s principles on relationships and marriage, that encounter gives a heavy blow to the natural stability of their marriages.
Suppose your unbelieving wife goes out to work, and all of a sudden, encounters Jesus, gets born again and receives a divine calling to follow his pastor to missionary grounds; what will you, as an unbelieving husband do? The normal flow of your marital lifestyle will be affected. Right? And because many men are egoistic and domination-centred, they try to limit the freedom of their wives’ movements. But it’s bad.
So God knows this. He said through Peter that wives should submit to their husbands, especially if they’re not born again. However, when it comes to living a godly lifestyle, they should uphold it so much that their husbands will be won over by their conduct, especially at home.
So, dear believing wife, submission unto your husband is God’s principle without exceptions. In other words, whether your husband is saved or not, you must submit to him. Nevertheless, it’s always good to know Jesus before choosing your spouse in the Lord, so that these bad marriage circumstances will be avoided.
Are you a wife or soon-to-be wife reading this? Let your ministry, especially at home, be excellent, and your lifestyle will win over your husband.
Verse 3
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—”
1 Peter 3:3 (NKJV)
Peter continues to give three principal listings that many ladies of today’s world, especially spinsters, focus on.
- Nice hair arrangement.
- Wearing gold (ornaments).
- Putting on nice clothes.
Now, I’m a male. So, I can’t really quantify how important the above list is to women. But I’ve seen my mother stress about getting these things from my dad as I grew up. She hardly went out without specialising in dressing well. Seeing this, I know that ladies value these things — dressing well, keeping nice hair and wearing ornaments. Truly speaking, they are necessary to keep them looking beautiful on the outside.
But friend, marriage is beyond physical beauty. Your physical beauty alone is not enough to sustain your marriage. You need to invest more. And where you need to do that is what Peter says in verse 4.
Verse 4
“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.”
1 Peter 3:4 (NKJV)
According to this verse, the two most precious investments a woman can make in her life, either as a spinster, in a relationship or in marriage, is having a gentle and quiet spirit. I’ve always wondered why God gave women melodious voices and such tremendous countenance. But I see, from this verse, that it’s scriptural. If you notice any woman talking very harshly, then there’s a problem in either her upbringing or marriage.
A woman is a multiplier. What you feed her with, you’ll get multiple of it. If a lady’s parents love and care about her so well, she’ll grow up with such a gentle and quiet spirit. But if not, she’ll be harsh and quite unbearable.
Dear believing wife, your gentle and quiet way of life isn’t a disadvantage to you. Instead, it’s your strength. If you relate to your husband this way, I guarantee you that you’ll not have problems in your marriage, whether your husband is spiritual or not. Be willing to receive from your husband. Let his love cool your heart every single day. And if you’re dating a godly man, practise these marital principles. You’ll not have problems with your relationship, and it will end up in marriage. Say Amen!
Verse 5-6
[5] “For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, [6] as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”
1 Peter 3:5-6 NKJV
All these things Peter spoke about had references in the Old Testament. Although Acts 4:13 indicates that Peter was unschooled, I believe God transformed him to become studious of the scriptures. I say that because he knew how Sarah submitted to her husband and called him “lord” because he studied the scriptures. Ministry can turn the most lazy person into the most knowledgeable person of the Word.
Dear believing wife, you’re also a seed of Abraham (see Galatians 3:29) because you’re in Christ. So call your husband “lord.” He should be your second in command in life; the first is God. Submit to him. Relate to him in a quiet and gentle spirit, not a rebellious character; else, you’ll ruin his peace of mind. And above all, follow God’s principle in relating to all people in all calmness and gentility.
You’re a blessing.
