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.”
We have been studying the believer’s responsibility to other people. The believer has a responsibility to his nation (
Wives, likewise
The first seven verses of this chapter deal with husband-wife relationship. Peter explains the role of the wife (vv.1-6) then the role of the husband (v.7). Verse seven, which deals with the husband’s role in marriage, is loaded with as much content as the previous six. Most men do not understand their wives. They do not know their needs. Peter lands directly on the wife’s central need to be loved properly by her husband.
There are three categories of Christians who will not respond to Peter’s challenge:
- Those who are older - they have already established their patterns and principles for marriage. They will not respond to this challenge because they are in a rut.
- Those who have given up - they claim there is no way out of this mess. Forget it! I have tried everything to fix this thing. I do not want to go through the pain of trying to fix this marriage again.”
- Those who are naive - Some teenagers think that marriage is a panacea for all their problems. If they could just get married and out from under their parents roof all would be well. Marriage does not resolve life problems; it complicates them! Marriage is no gimmick for a lack or a problem in life.
Principle:
Marriage as an institution requires roles to establish order.
Application:
Some teenage girls believe that marriage will resolve their problems. No one asks them out so they hop on the first bus that comes along. After riding it for a couple blocks (years) she says, “Oh, I got on the wrong bus. This bus is taking me in the wrong direction. I did not notice the location this bus was heading.” She would have been much happier remaining single.
Her problem was a complete lack of understanding as to what makes up husbands and wives in marriage. The appeal in marriage is not physical beauty, although many men would argue with that. The issue is inner beauty. This is the point of the first six verses.
A woman who does not fill her mind with implacability, bitterness, resentment, hostility or anger is free from attitudinal sins. Peter addresses here the mental make-up of a godly woman.
For those of you who have not married yet, if you marry the wrong person you will live a life of misery. There is nothing worse than living with the wrong person. You might as well live with a rattlesnake.
I am signed up for the daily verse devotional- I cannot tell you how powerful this particular chapter has been in my life. This should be something that everyone reads before they get married or involved in a relationship- realy this is God’s handbook for peronal, one on one relationships. I am so grateful that God brought me to this site and I signed up for it. Please keep the good work up! May God bless you richly and abundantly.