1 Peter 3:1-7

As we begin this study we should remember God's Word has much to say, and it says it in certain ways. Who are we to tell God how to use words or language! Submit yourselves to God and call upon Him. A note to the reader: the word "Church" in our studies always means the body of Christ/called out ones/believers/saints/remnant etc. not the IC DC (Institutional churches or denominational churches).

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 (1 Peter 3:1)

Peter says, likewise meaning in the same way. What way? Look in your Bibles at 1 Peter 2:13,18 those verses say submit and subject. He's starting another thought which refers to what he has previously outlined for Christians, concerning government, and then servants to their masters.

He says to the wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands. Before the women begin to throw rocks, lets look at just what subjection means. The word is a compound word meaning under arrangement or rank. It's used as a military term--like ranking under a leader. The wife is to be in subjection under the leadership of her husband.

This issue is a hot bed of debate, and a thorn in the side of many women in the Church today. For one reason or another many, not all, but many are very uncomfortable with the idea of submitting to their husbands. I have a serious question for the wives concerning this. Why? Why if you're a Christian wife do you really have a problem with submitting to your husband? You need to ask yourself why?

It's one thing to have a husband that claims to be a Christian and is lax in his spousal, physical, and most importantly, spiritual responsibilities. This is very frustrating to many Christian women because in submitting to his spiritual decisions, which sometimes are very contrary to the Word of God, she is forced into a difficult position. In that area the wife must pray for her husband to become more and more committed to Christ and His Word.

However, if a wife has a husband and he is very committed to Christ and His Word and he makes very Biblical decisions then submitting should not be a problem. If you have a husband, like the lax man, or the very committed man, and you still find it difficult to submit to him, then undoubtedly there is some other problem either with him or with you as the wife. Search your heart and ask God what it is that hinders you from submitting to him. Many may say that's fine, but why should I submit to him? First, God said so look at Genesis 3:16.

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

After the fall God Himself said it. Second, look at these Scriptures 1 Corinthians 11:3, 8-12; Ephesians 5:22,23; 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Finally, right here in 1 Peter 3:1 lets look at this reason.

That, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives (v.1b)

It's clear that in this verse the language indicates a woman is married to a unsaved man. This is another reason some Christian women feel it is not necessary to submit to their unsaved husbands. But we are not talking about submitting to him if he says go kill so and so or tries to give you unbiblical spiritual demands. A Christian wife must never obey her husbands word over God's law. Rather, in verse one, she is in subjection for the reason of her love and devotion to Jesus and that perhaps, not always, by her conduct and pure Godly behavior he may become saved!

Notice Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands. We can apply this to the Church and the Lord Jesus. Because in times like today we all need to ask ourselves are we being in subjection to Him? We need to be more in subjection to Christ then we are to many so-called Church leaders. He says, to your own husbands this means only your husband not all men in general.

While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear (3:2)

The word chaste means pure and clean also the word conversation is an old English word for conduct or behavior. Fear is a reverential fear not a terrified fear. A husband, that is not saved, may look at the way you live for Jesus and your reverence to Him, and consider becoming a Christian. Do you see how being in subjection has a purpose?

Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel (3:3)

Peter continues with things a wife must do by saying, whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair. What does this mean? remember Peter was talking to mostly gentiles (1 Peter 1:1). What is the plaiting of the hair? It was the intertwining the hair in ornament. Here are three sorts of ornaments forbidden. Plaiting of hair, which was commonly used in those times by lewd women. Wearing of gold, or ornaments made of gold, this became the attire chiefly of harlots and wicked people.

Peter is saying, that as Godly Christian wives, they should not be caught up in anything that aligns them with what is pagan or worldly. Thus, again, the outcome might be salvation for their husbands. But as followers of Christ the question is why would we feel the need to look the best, or have a lot of gold or pearls about us, and things of that sort? Jesus has not left us that kind of example. Are we, dare we, say we have arrived in the Christian life as to have the finery of this world?

Listen to what Jesus says.

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:33) See also Matthew 6:24-34.

What about or of putting on of apparel? Peter is not forbidding the wearing of clothes, but the display of finery by contrast. What Peter, through the Holy Spirit, is trying to convey to us is that it must not be the outward appearance but the inward of the heart! Isaiah describes the prideful women of his day in Isaiah 3:16-24.

Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing [as] they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet], and [their] cauls, and [their] round tires like the moon, The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, The rings, and nose jewels, The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. And it shall come to pass, [that] instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; [and] burning instead of beauty.

Continuing with first Peter.

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 (3:4)

Man is used as a general term here meaning person. He says this hidden man of the heart is not corruptible and she should have a meek and quiet spirit which is to God of great price! In other words, God says, this is of value to Him. See also (Psalm 45:13). This is so totally contrast to some today that are overbearing, pushy, bold, and aggressive.

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 (3:5)

He gives us an example, of the Godly women of the Old Testament, as a guide to show it can be done.

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 (3:6)

He uses, not by accident, Sara. Lord is defined, not the same as our Lord Jesus, but as one having authority. Amazement is that kind of fear like terror. Who would make them afraid? Their husbands (Ephesians 5:28,29).

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 (3:7)

Conversely, to the husbands with a believing wife, as opposed to verse one it was a wife with a unbelieving husband. He says the husbands are to dwell with them as to the weaker vessel many, many, women become incensed at this especially "Women's libber's." Believe me, I have seen some women that go to the workout gym and have muscles upon muscles! This is very sad as they have swallowed a lie and are tricked into believing they can, and need to be, stronger than a man! This term is not saying weakness in intellect or spiritual but in physical. Whether or not she wants to believe this it's still a truth in God's eyes and nothing she can do will change that.

Notice he says that your prayers be not hindered have you ever got into a "spat" with your mate and then went and tried to pray? Almost always God brings a conviction to go and make amends. Look up also Matthew 5:23; Job 2:9,10.

So there are five things a woman should consider adoring themselves with: (1) subjection (2) good behavior (3) chaste conduct (4) reverence (5) and a meek and quite spirit.

Beloved, stay in the Word of God. Rest all your hope in Him. Trust Jesus, and "lean not on your own understanding." Prepare yourself for His coming Amen!

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