Holding on to Hope: A Study of 1 Peter
Monday, May 17,2021
Today’s reading: 1 Peter 3:1-7
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. Likewise husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the women as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
The Message version:
The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty. What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as “my dear husband.” You’ll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated. The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God’s grace, you’re equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don’t run aground.
Post:Today I would ask you to take a deep look at both of these versions written above. There is much in this passage and I think these two versions are most helpful as we try and gain some insight here. Now that you have read both, let’s look at the context of these verses. “Why did Peter devote more space to instructing the wives than the husbands? Christian wives at this point in history were experiencing a whole new situation and needed guidance. In general, women were kept down in the Roman Empire. Under the Roman law, the husband and father absolutely had power over the household, including his wife. This new freedom these women found in Christ was a whole different situation and I suspect was confusing, therefore they needed encouragement and enlightenment. Peter was reassuring Christian women who were married to unbelievers that they did not need to preach to their husbands. The best approach would be one of loving service :a self-giving love that Christ showed the church. He was asking them to be beautiful examples of living a Christ-filled life. This really isn't any different today. In a post not long ago the writer mentioned those bracelets a few years back that said WWJD. Remember that? I just loved that reminder which was so simple yet posed a great thought provoking question. What WOULD Jesus do? How would He live as an example to us? How would He treat others and relate to them? That’s what these women of long ago were asked as well as us today.
In Warren Wiersbe’s book, “Be Hopeful”, there is such good information ,some of which I have paraphrased in this post that talks us through this passage. I would like to end with a hope-filled quote from the book that keeps the topic broad: “If there are unsaved people in your home, they will be won to Christ more by what they see in our lives and relationships rather that what they hear in our witness” (p.83). You may have a husband and family living with you or you may live alone. Either way, the way we live out our lives is seen by others. Let’s hope the words we speak are not empty but rather match with those actions choose to take.
This week we have Christ Baxter reading 1 Peter 3 on audio. Please click the link provided below to let these words seep into your life this week.
Jesus, You are our living hope! Thank You for the wise words we find spoken by Peter that are relevant to us today. Lord, You never leave us alone but you provide us with instruction and ability to live like You. Help us to adhere to that. Make our actions reflect the One who came to love a save us from ourselves. Equip us to live out our lives so we reflect You to any unbelievers in our homes and beyond. Let us not take for granted what You have done for us and be bold enough to live it out for others to see. Amen
