A.      Submission unto God’s will in every area of life is the way to obtain God’s blessings for both ourselves and others.  This mindset needs to be present in every Christian every day.

B.      In our present lesson, we will continue our study of submission by considering 1Peter 3:1-12.

II.      SUBMISSION IN MARRIAGE

A.      Let us first notice a specific theme in this section of 1Peter about submission.

                                                             1.      The theme is that submission to God’s will is necessary even under adverse conditions.

a.       An unfavorable situation is not a valid excuse for failing to submit to God’s will.

b.       One who submits only when the situation favors him is really not submitting at all.  He is doing his own will and not the will of God.

                                                             2.      This theme is demonstrated in the various situations described in 1Peter 2:12-3:2.

a.       We are to keep our behavior excellent “among the Gentiles” (1Pet. 2:12) even if we are slandered as evildoers for it.

b.       We are to submit to governments “for the Lord’s sake” (1Pet. 2:13) even if the government is corrupted.

c.        We are to submit to our masters even if those masters are unreasonable (1Pet. 3:18).

d.       Christian wives are to submit to their husbands even if their husbands are “disobedient to the word” (1Pet. 3:1).

e.        Christ is our example of such unconditional suffering, for He submitted to God’s will and patiently suffered even when He was innocent and undeserving of the harsh treatment He received (1Pet. 2:21-24).

B.      Consider the directions given unto wives regarding submission to their husbands (1Pet. 3:1-6).

                                                             1.      “In the same way” in verse 1 refers to the way of submission described in the previous verses.  The idea is that a wife should submit to her husband for the same reason that she should submit to governments or masters, and that reason is for the reverence and glorification of God.

                                                             2.      A submissive, chaste, and respectful wife may be able to win her disobedient husband for Christ.

a.       Specifically, the way disobedient husbands are won is “without a word by the behavior of their wives” (v. 1).  Quietly demonstrating chaste and respectful behavior to an unbelieving husband can be a powerful influence for the Lord.

b.       This result is similar to other results of godly behavior, such as the glorification of God by the Gentiles that results from Christians’ good deeds (1Pet. 2:12) or the silencing of foolish men’s ignorance that results from Christians’ submission to government (1Pet. 2:15).

                                                             3.      A wife’s godly character is to be her true adornment in submission to her husband.

a.       This instruction regarding a wife’s adornment is integral to the whole context of this passage regarding submission.  Essentially, it is saying that being a good wife is not a matter of a pleasing appearance, but it is much more so a matter of godly character.

b.       Notice that the word “adornment” in verse 3 is translated from the Greek word kosmos (ref. English “cosmos”), which means “order” or “arrangement.”  It is translated is most other verses as “world” (ex. John 3:16).  So then, a godly wife’s “world” is about her inner character (“hidden person of the heart”), not her external appearance.

c.        Understand exactly what is enjoined upon wives in this passage.

i.         Verses 3-4 are written in the form of a common Hebrew idiom.  The form is “not only this, but more so that.”  This type of idiom is used throughout the Bible (ex. Gen. 32:28; 45:8; Ex. 16:8; 1Sam. 8:7; Mark 9:37; John 6:27; 1Cor. 15:10).  The goal is to emphasize the latter point.

ii.        Thus, verse 3 does not prohibit the braiding of hair or wearing of jewelry or dresses.  Instead, it emphasizes the spiritual adornment of a wife.

iii.      What is clearly required in a Christian wife is “the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”  This prohibits a wife from being domineering and requires her to be submissive.

iv.      See also Ephesians 5:22-24; 1Timothy 2:9-15; Titus 2:4-5.

                                                             4.      The holy women of old stand as an example for godly wives today.

a.       Women such as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Ruth, Abigail, Esther, etc., hoped in God, adorned themselves with quiet and gentle spirits, and submitted to their husbands (some also wore jewelry and fine clothes – Gen. 24:22, 47, 53; Est. 5:1; Prov. 31:22).

b.       In particular, Sarah is exalted as a worthy example because she “obeyed Abraham, calling him lord” (v. 6).  Daughters of Sarah will likewise submit to their husbands and “do what is right without being frightened by any fear.”

C.      Husbands are also instructed to submit to the will of God in regards to their wives (1Pet. 3:7).

                                                             1.      Notice the word “likewise.”  This means that just as the previous instructions in 1Peter 2:12-3:6 were to be carried out in reverence and glorification to God, so also this instruction for husbands’ treatment of their wives is to be carried out in reverence and glorification to God.

                                                             2.      Consider this instruction to husbands carefully.

a.       Husbands are to live with their wives in an understanding way and not as tyrants.

b.       The particular understanding that husbands must have is that she, being a woman, is a “weaker vessel.”

i.         The term “weaker vessel” draws a contrast between a woman and a man.  It is in no way derogative toward women.

ii.        In terms of vessels, we might understand a woman as a fine crystal vase and a man as a mason jar.  The crystal vase is more delicate, whereas a mason jar is rugged.  They are equally useful, but they are designed for different purposes.

c.        Husbands must honor their wives as spiritual equals and fellow heirs of the grace of life so that their prayers may not be hindered (by disobedience to God’s will).

d.       See also Ephesians 5:25-33.

III.   CALLED FOR A BLESSING

A.      The summary of Peter’s message about excellent behavior is given in 1Peter 3:8-9.

                                                             1.      All of the traits listed in verse 8 are selfless qualities (harmony, sympathy, brotherliness, kindness, humility) that naturally lead Christians to excellent behavior and submission to authority.

                                                             2.      In the pattern of Jesus, we are not to retaliate for wrongs done to us, but instead we are to give blessings (compare to Matt. 5:38-48; Luke 6:28; Rom. 12:14).

                                                             3.      We should be disposed to giving blessings, for we have been called for the purpose of inheriting a blessing ourselves (compare to the “golden rule” – Luke 6:31).

B.      The motivation for excellent behavior is given in 1Peter 3:10-12.

                                                             1.      This passage is a quotation of Psalm 34:12-16.

                                                             2.      Verses 10-11 speak of the good that results from doing good and abstaining from evil.

                                                             3.      Verse 12 speaks of how God’s attention is affected by our conduct.

a.       The phrase “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous” indicates God’s care and protection over those who practice righteousness.

b.       It is also true that God is attentive to the prayers of the righteous (see also Jas. 5:16).

c.        In contrast, the phrase “the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” indicates not only that He withholds His care and protection for them, but also it means that He works against them.  Sinners providentially and naturally suffer negative consequences as a result of their sins.

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      Submission unto God requires a complete surrender of one’s own will.  As we see in 1Peter, this is not always easy, but the blessings that are promised to those who submit themselves to God will be worth every sacrifice.

B.      In our next lesson, we will consider 1Peter 3:13-4:6 – “Suffering.”