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1 Peter 3:1-2
1 Likewise [homoios], ye wives [gune], be in subjection [hupotasso] to your own [idios] husbands [aner]; that [hina], if any [ei
tis] obey not [apeitheo] the word [logos], they [kerdaino] also [kai] may [kerdaino] without [aneu] the word [logos] be won [kerdaino] by [dia] the conversation [anastrophe] of the wives [gune];
2 While they behold [epopteuo] your [humon] chaste [hagnos] conversation [anastrophe]
coupled with [en] fear [phobos]. KJV-Interlinear
1 In the same way, you wives, be
submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to
the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful
behavior. NASB
So now we have arrived
at the verse that the guys love and the women despise.How can God give all of this authority to a man,
and force this humiliation on women, especially when most of the men out there
are dumber anyway?
And the answer to this
perplexing situation is that you do not understand it, first of all, and
second, you probably did not associate it with the previous chapters.Duh!We still have a context here, and that context is to be subordinate to
Gods authority, by shedding your sin nature s control over your life, and replacing
it with the Holy Spirit s control through your residence in fellowship.
In similar fashion,
here means, just as we have already studied.Be submissive to the current government, which means obey the laws.Drive on the correct side of the road, obey
traffic signals, pay your taxes, etc., etc., etc.
Respect the authority
of the coach, the teacher, the employer.And now we have the husband.
The family is an
organization, which is a part of divine establishment.It is the culmination of volition, marriage,
and children. It is a structure for the protection and perpetuation of the marriage,
and it provides an environment for laying a foundation for raising
children.The more stable the family,
the better prospects for the children.
There are always
exceptions, of course.We live in the
devils world and children have sin natures, as we all do.
The family has a configuration
for preserving its structure.Two people
must agree and be willing to compromise with each other, in order to make the
marriage work.If one or both are
selfish, then what outcome would you expect?
The man is given the
position of the authority, because he is typically the one who earns the living
which supports the family.This does not
make him the wiser, or the more able of the married couple.
But the point here is,
simply, the preservation of the family or marriage, is more important than ones
own personal wants and desires.
As a single person you
have only yourself to care for.But in
marriage, you have to place some of your own desires on the back burner, or
cancel them altogether, in order to make room for the needs of the couple, or
the family, if there are children.
To promote conflict,
solves nothing.But to promote love and
affection, to promote companionship, to promote these kinds of things, will
lead to a preserved and better marriage.
In this situation, as
described by Peter, if the husband does not function in his spiritual life, then
the wife in effect leads by example - in doctrine, and without forcing the
issue.And then hopefully the husband
will follow that lead, and get with his own spiritual growth program.
Why is this
important?Because, blessing comes into
this world, from God, through mature believers.If a husband and wife are both advancing in their spiritual life, then
they in effect receive a double portion of blessing for their family.If only one is advancing then that tends to
limit this blessing synergy.
More is better than
one, but that does not mean that you are cheated if only one is advancing in
their spiritual life.It just helps the
relationship, the marriage, the family and more important, when hard times
really do strike, then you both will be better off in dealing with the
hardship, rather than fighting between the two of you, and running for self-preservation
off a sinking ship.
The Bible commands the
husband to love the wife. The Bible commands the wife to respect the husband.
From this, the woman should
never marry until she truly respects her chosen future husband.That alone should eliminate a lot of short
term engagements, and prevents a lot of grief later on.From respect, love will blossom.
As for the husband, in
that he is in authority, this places the burden of responsibility on him.When single he could do whatever for himself,
but in marriage, his interests disappear from life.Love means placing your spouse and children
first, and your personal interests last, if at all.
This does not make you
a dictator, or give you the right to be a tyrant.Authority means that you are responsible, and
to that end, God will hold you accountable for the way you lead your family.
The wife, likewise, is
not without responsibility.In the spiritual
life, part of growing up spiritually, means that we all are accountable and
responsible for living a life as God intends for us to live.
On a ship, the captain
has the ultimate authority, but it is the first officer that really gets things
done.In rank the first officer
recognizes the authority of the captain, but throughout the ship, the first
officer carries the power and authority of the captain, especially in the captain s
absence.
So the wife really runs
things, with respect to the children, with respect to vendors, with respect to
the bills that have to get paid, with everything that has to do with the
running of a functioning family and home.
And, when all is over
for the day, and when the children are neatly tucked in their beds, the husband
and wife retire to a more intimate setting where rank does not exist.
And that is a picture
of the perfect marriage which is really choreographed by the wife.
Through the wise and innovative
wife, a marriage can blossom to beyond ones imagination.
But it is not the wife
who is taking the lead, but doctrine in her soul, that provides the environment
and wisdom for making the marriage succeed.
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End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
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