For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord…
1 Peter 3:1-7
Peter addresses, here, an issue that came into existence after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, “To the woman He said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.’”(Genesis 3:16). The harmony that once existed between man and woman with God and, each other, was shattered by the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Because Adam and Eve were “federal heads” of all humanity to come, their disobedience was passed on to all descendants of Adam and Eve, every human ever born of woman. But, humanity’s proclivity to sin cannot be an excuse to God for each human is accountable to God for his/her behavior in thoughts, words and, deeds. Thus, God wrote on the hearts of all humans the laws of right and wrong, then, giving the tablets to Moses and, next, His Only Begotten Son was sent to show humanity a sinless way to live and a sacrificial, atoning death for forgiveness of sins. Now, Peter writes that wives, whether saved or not, are to be subject to their own husband. This being subject does NOT mean that women are, in any way, less than man. No, as Eve was created to complement(complete) Adam, so, wives are to complete what man cannot be alone. But, God established the order in marriage, in Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Men often overlook Peter’s words, here, that the husband is to be a Christian example, if he has an unsaved wife, so that she may be saved through her husband’s example. Wives are equal with their husbands in all ways. But, only woman can bear children, nourish them, love them and, along with the husband, raise children in the knowledge and admonishment of the Lord. God has established the order in the family just as He established the order, in Heaven, with Jesus as the Head of the Church and all Christians as the Body of the Church. Husband and wife are a holy union like unto Christ and His Bride, the Church. Being subject to the husband, submitting to his leadership are ways men and women obey God’s Sovereignty over His creation. Peter, then, encourages women, “…let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” Lastly, Peter encourages the husband, “…live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman…” All Christians are to live in harmony, as best as they can, with one another which glorifies God who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Source: S C Ball September 25, 2023
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