The Good Life at Home

1 Peter 3:1-12

Background of 3:1-6

• Situation: wives believe, husbands do not

• Result: wives more fit to lead than husbands

• Question: “Should I continue to submit?”

• Answer: “Yes”

• Reason: Evangelism through submission

Does it still apply?

Ephesians 5:22–24 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Submission

• to submit: to place oneself under the authority of another

• in marriage: to recognize and support your husband’s divinely appointed authority as head of the home

Biblical Submission is not...

…subjugation by the husband

…towards men in general

…based upon inferiority

– “co-heir of the grace of life” (v7)

– “weaker vessel” = more vulnerable

…based upon the husband’s worthiness

Biblical Submission is...

…submission to God first

– v2 – “chaste” = holy

– v6 – “do what is right w/o being frightened by any fear”

Biblical Submission is...

…submission to God first

…based upon strength

– gentle = humble (v4)

– quiet = at peace with oneself (v4)

– hopes in God (v5)

Biblical Submission is...

…submission to God first

…based upon strength

…expressed in:

– obedience, if necessary

– respect, in word & deed, private & public

• v3 – by dressing modestly

• v6 – through your words

To the Husbands (v7)

• Two commands:–Protect and care for her–Show her honor as a co-heir of grace

• Motivation: so your prayers will not be hindered–v12 – “set His face against” us

God’s Design for Marriage

• Wives submit to their husbands by respecting their leadership in words & deeds, in private & public.

• Husbands protect and honor their wives in all they do.