Bible Text: 1 Peter 3:1-6 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: 1 Peter, Beauty 101

Wives in the ancient world were devalued by society, considered the property of their husbands. Christianity raised the status of women and challenged men with new responsibilities toward their wives and restrictions to their absolute authority.

In 1 Peter 3:1-6, Peter addresses wives, in particular those whose husbands were unbelievers. The situation is that of a woman who comes to faith in Christ after having married. Paul deals with a similar situation in 1 Corinthians 7, the question of what a husband or wife to do is to do who comes to faith when their spouse does not. In the case of 1 Corinthians, the believing partner is to stay if the unbeliever wishes to continue the marriage. In 1 Peter, a Christian wife could best reach her husband by: being submissive (“voluntary selflessness”) to him, and by focusing on the beauty of her character, rather than argument.

The Bible warns against a believer marrying an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14). Christian singles

should heed the following advice: “…go out with only those you can go on with.” (Murdock).

Nine observations about submission:

-submission is a functional term not a value term. There is equality of value between the sexes (Galatians 3:28) but functional differences based upon Creation order.

-submission is described as a “voluntary selflessness.”

-there is nothing degrading about submission, Jesus is the example, He submitted Himself to the will of God the Father though they were equal in every way (to say otherwise would be heresy) (1 Corinthians 11:3; Philippians 2)

-submission is not easy

-submission is to a women’s own husband, not all women to all men (1 Peter 3:1; Ephesians 5:22)

-submission is not bending one person’s will to the will of another, it is the result of loving, selfless leadership

-submission cannot be demanded, it is voluntary (Colossians 3:18, based upon the middle voice of the Greek verb)

-submission does not mean that the husband is the exclusive decision maker

-in submission a woman puts here trust in God, and follows her husband’s leadership