1Peter 3: 1 – 12

Feb. 12, 2022

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Verse one says it all, doesn’t it? “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;” Even if we are ‘unequally yoked’, as the Bible refers to couples who may not have the same faith tradition or the husband has no faith tradition at all, we wives can bring our husbands to faith by the way we speak, the way we act, and the manner in which we treat our husbands (not to mention the wider world – ‘by your fruits they will know you” Matt 7:20) and our families.

Some clever person somewhere quipped, “The man may be the head of the family, but the woman is the neck” and that’s correct; we help lead the direction our families take and that includes gently leading our husbands along the path that Jesus has shown us. We lead them with love, with patience – and a good deal of humor. We are not perfect and our husbands are certainly not perfect (ask any wife, lol!) but together we are gently yoked and walk together to the betterment of our marriages and families. And this united family, full of love and respect for each other, plays out in the wider world as well; that’s something we don’t often think about – the world watches what Christians do and how they lead their lives. We need to live like we’re being watched – because we are.

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