October 17
“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered,” 1 Peter 3:1-7.
This is a very long text, and it might be regarded as being too lengthy for a brief morning devotion. However, the seven verses go together, and they must be considered as one unit. The apostle Peter is addressing both wives and husbands about how they should conduct themselves within the bond of marriage.
A critic might ask, “Why does the apostle speak to the wives in six verses and use only one verse to speak to the husbands?” Please take note that the apostle says, “Wives, likewise . . . (and) Husbands, likewise . . . ” Much of what applies to one likewise applies to the other also.
The wife should regard her husband as her God-given head of the household, and the husband should regard his wife as his God-given helper. Many marriages are between Christians and non-Christians. Without saying a word, by her Christian conduct a wife can win her non-Christian husband to look favorably at Christianity and eventually become a Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. Likewise, without saying a word, by his Christian conduct a husband can win his non-Christian wife to look favorably at Christianity and eventually become a Christian also.
Peter is not suggesting that wives and husbands should be unconcerned about their outward appearance and that they should dress and look like slobs! However, the beauty of a wife is not in how well she dresses and adorns herself, but in how she conducts herself as a Christian. Likewise, the beauty of a husband is not in how well he dresses and adorns himself, but in how he conducts himself as a Christian.
For the wife, Peter says that her adornment should be, “The hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” She should act like a Christian lady. The husband’s adornment is expressed with the words, “Dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife.” He should act like a Christian gentleman.
For a good understanding and commentary on the words of Peter, please read God’s Word written by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:22-33. Paul’s closing words speak to both: “Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
The final words of Peter summarize the God-pleasing relationship of a husband and wife: “(Live) as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” Live as two people united in the Christian faith with a loving concern for both the bodily and spiritual welfare of each other. Live as two people walking along the same road on the way to heaven with faith in the same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose again to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
“O blessed home where man and wife
Together lead a godly life,
By deeds their faith confessing!
There many a happy day is spent,
There Jesus gladly will consent
To tarry with His blessing.” Amen.