Tough Stuff

 

The Men's Group is studying 1 Peter and a few weeks back we had a great discussion regarding Chapter 3, which is instruction on the husband and wife relationship. Chapter 3 can be a tough message for some people without the proper context. In fact, chapter 3 is one of those often misquoted scriptures used by some to dismiss or dispel the gospel of Jesus Christ. Take a look...

 

Taken at face value, it sounds as if Peter might be asking Christian women to be subservient to their husbands as a less important person in the relationship. Nothing could be further from the truth! Brother Gary pointed out in our discussion that God created Eve to be a partner with Adam, not to be his servant or slave. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27)  From the Helps in my bible: "God made both man and woman in his image. Neither man nor woman is made more in the image of God than the other. From the beginning the Bible places both man and woman at the pinnacle of Gods creation. Neither sex is exalted, and neither is depreciated".

 

The historical context of 1 Peter 3:1-2 is that of the early church under Roman rule. Under Roman law, the husband and father had absolute authority over all members of the household - including the wife. It was his way or the highway, so-to-speak. Many of the earliest converts to Christianity were women, attracted by the promise of a direct relationship with and saving grace from God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. At that time, the gospel was a message of great hope and freedom for women who were essentially second-class citizens. If the husband disapproved of his wife practicing this "strange" new religion, then she had no choice but to abandon the practice. If, however, she reflected the sacrificial love of Christ to her husband, then he might begin to understand the love of Christ through her changed life. This is nothing more than what we are still asked to do today, to reflect Christ's love to others through our lives.

 

As Christians, we are all asked to be submissive to others. Submission is:

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers" (1 Peter 3:7). Again, this scripture is frequently taken out of context. "Weaker partner" has nothing to do with moral or intellectual inferiority, and everything to do with the opportunities available to women at that time. Basically, women had little or no opportunity to live independently of a man. Also, Peter states here that denigrating or mistreating your wife "will hinder your prayers". If men misuse their position to mistreat their wives, their relationship with God will suffer (this was a revolutionary concept at that time, provided to us by God through the ministry of Jesus Christ). So brothers, pay heed that you don't hinder your prayers!