Our Relationships
1 Peter 3:1–12
The good news of the gospel has implications for every area of our life. Our work, our relationships and our families are to be in line with Scripture.
Wives (1–6)
God created marriage. Christian marriages, therefore, should be different from those of nonbelievers. Peter addressed wives and advised them of the important responsibility they have to give loving submission to their spouse.
Submission to another seems to go against our contemporary customs. Submission does not imply inferiority, nor does it imply that the husband could order his wife to do something immoral or illegal. Yet both society and marriages need order. Likely, the Christian wives of Peter’s day were more committed to Christ than their husbands.
In the first century, wives were expected to submit to the religion of their husbands. Since men were commonly older and better educated than their wives, submission was a nonverbal witness to an unbelieving husband.
New Testament scholar Robert Mounce affirms “silent evangelism as a biblical principle. Situations develop where nothing but godly and chaste behavior can convince a spouse of the reality of the Christian faith.”
Believing wives in the Old Testament also provided a model for first century Christians. Peter listed Sarah as a model wife who submitted to Abraham. Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. Her submission did not diminish her important role in God’s plan for history and the role of Abraham in their joint faith journey. Consider how a wife’s role in marriage reflects her relationship with God.
Husbands (7)
Husbands have specific spiritual responsibilities as well. At that time and even in many cultures today, women are vulnerable members of society. Husbands are to recognize this but are also directed to treat their wives as co-heirs of the grace of life. I would not be the person I am today if I did not view my wife as a partner.
To fail to follow Peter’s wisdom may hinder the prayers of the husbands. In other words, for a husband to mistreat his wife impacts, even hinders, the husband’s prayers. Husbands are called to honor their wives.
All Believers (8–12)
From gender roles, Peter shifted to the relationships within the church body. He challenged Christians to live in harmony. He listed seven attitudes as evidence of mature Christians within the church.
Positively, Peter challenged his readers to be like-minded, harmonious and in agreement. He also challenged them to give a blessing — in other words, to love one another —that they might inherit a blessing.
Peter detailed attitudes that create godly living: Keep your tongue from speaking evil. Do not let your lips speak deceit. Turn away from evil and do what is good. Seek and pursue peace with others.
God sets His face against evil doers, but He sees the righteous and hears their prayers. God wants the lives of believers to be a witness to the world. Love and humility are vital in Christian community.
By Mark Rathel
Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida
