Sunday Sermons
Strong Women
Strong Women
1 Peter 3:1-6
This section continues what was started at 2:11, “In the same way” (3:1). Just as Christians are to be in subjection to the civil authorities (2:13), and servants in subjection to masters (2:18), wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands, even if that husband is an unbeliever. Some have wondered why the instruction here to wives is so much longer than the instruction to husbands (3:7). One thought is that when only one mate in a marriage became a Christian, the Christian woman with a non-Christian husband was in a more difficult situation than the Christian husband with a non-Christian wife. “Aristotle writes that among barbarians (non-Greeks) women and slaves held the same rank; and though among the Greeks her position was not quite so degraded, they considered her as holding only an intermediate position between free persons and slaves, being the mother of her children, but not worthy to educate them, qualified to receive orders, but never to give them” (Woods p. 86). At this point I believe it is essential to note that neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament views women as objects, or slaves. Grand passages praise the worth of even an individual woman (Proverbs 31), and places obligations upon husbands to love their wives (Deut. 24:5; Ecc. 9:9). It was pagan ideas that degraded the status of women. “But what was probably surprising to the original readers is that here in a seemingly traditional ethical section wives are addressed at all. In that society women were expected to follow the religion of their husbands; they might have their own cult on the side, but the family religion was that of the husband. He addresses them as independent moral agents whose decision to turn to Christ he supports and whose goal to win their husbands he encourages” (Davids pp. 115-116).
1 Peter 3:1 “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives”
“In the same way”: “Equally” (Thayer p. 445). This subjection is in like manner to our subjection to pagan civil authorities (2:13), or submission to unreasonable masters and employers (2:18). Men are to remain in subjection, even in the most trying circumstances, and so are women. Peter does not say, “Wives, you are off the hook, because we all know you are too weak to handle this situation.” Peter does not view women as being morally weaker than men, and neither does he view them as so delicate that they faint at anything and everything. “Particularly, the subject of the previous verses had been obedient subjection, even if one is mistreated” (Oberst p. 144).
“Be submissive”: ”Subject oneself, be subjected, subordinated, obey” (Arndt p. 848). “Peter sees the self as involved, voluntarily or volitionally. Voluntary submission because of our commitment to Christ does not demean, debase, or degrade one; such action on our part---wherever it is appropriate—exalts our God (1 Corinthians 11:3)” (Oberst p. 144). Grudem writes, “Submission to a husband’s authority within a healthy marriage might not often involve obeying commands, for a husband may rather give requests and seek advice. Nevertheless, an attitude of submission to a husband’s authority will be reflected in numerous words and actions each day which reflect deference to his leadership and an acknowledgment of his final responsibility----after discussion has occurred, where possible---to make decisions affecting the whole family” (p. 137). “So that even if any of them are disobedient to the word”: The worddisobedient here means to “refuse or withhold belief” (Thayer p. 55). “More than a negative meaning, one who sets himself in direct opposition to the word of God” (P.P. Comm. p. 128). “Disobedient to the word”: “Is translated from a term which denotes a degree of antagonism in addition to disobedience, plus an element of stubbornness, means literally, not to allow one’s self to be persuaded” (Woods p. 87). Some wives may have thought that subjection did not apply if their husband was not a Christian. She is to be in subjection to him, just as much as she would be obligated to be in subjection to a Christian husband. “They should not allow their freedom in Christ and domestic discomfort (with some understandable hurt and anger) to make them feel superior to their husbands and obey them less. Instead they are to be model wives. This seeking to please is far more likely to win their husbands and it will also commend Christianity to the wider society” (Davids p. 116). The soul of the other mate is more important than the temporary comfort or fulfillment of the Christian mate. Instead of thinking, “But what about my feelings”, we need to always think, “But what about their soul?” “Even if any of them”: While some commentators suggest that most Christian women in this region were married to non-Christian men, the verse infers the opposite. Like today, the typical marriage involving Christians in the First Century, was between two Christians. “Without a word”: “Apart from the word” (Wey). The phrase,apart from the word, probably refers to words coming from the wife, because a person can never be won apart from the Word of God (Romans 10:17; 1:16; Mark 16:15). “Rather than attempting to argue, verbally contend with, talk down or out-talk one’s husband with words regarding his spiritual needs, the apostle would instruct the wives to let their consecrated lives, their humble subjection, their meek and quiet spirit (v. 4) speak out in bold relief against his ungodliness and rebellion. Compare with 2:12” (Oberst p. 146). “By the behavior of their wives”: “Here is an example where silent eloquence is more effective than vigorous debate” (Woods p. 87).
1 Peter 3:2 “as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior”
“Observe”: “Look upon attentively” (Thayer p. 246). “The Christian’s life is being examined, scrutinized, watched and eyed by the nonbeliever” (Oberst p. 147). “Chaste”: “Pure” (Arndt p. 12). “It means pure, free from moral defilement, and serves as another reminder that the submission Peter commands must never go so far as to include obedience to demands to do something that is morally wrong” (Grudem p. 139). This includes purity in all realms, including motivation. “Respectful”: This includes both respect for the husband and especially respect for God. “The attractiveness of a wife’s submissive behavior even to an unbelieving husband suggests that God has inscribed the righteous and beauty of role distinctions in marriage on the hearts of all mankind. The unbelieving husband sees this behavior and deep within perceives the beauty of it. Within his heart there is a witness that this is right, and this is how God intended men and women to relate as husband and wife. He concludes, therefore, that the gospel which his wife believes must be true as well” (Grudem p. 139).
1 Peter 3:3 “And let not your adornment be merely external---braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses”
“Merely external”: The NASV translators supply the word merely after the word external. This catches the right thought of the phrase, because if Peter is forbidding absolutely everything in this verse, then it would be wrong for a woman to wear even a single braid in her hair, just one item of jewelry (even a wedding ring), or the putting on of any dress. Oberst also notes, “Not that he condemns in absolute terms all regards to neatness and elegance in dress and appearance, but only an undue attention to those things” (p. 151).
1 Peter 3:4 “but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God”
“But let it be”: This is the language of choice. Every woman can truly be a woman that reflects the image of God (Genesis 1:26). “The hidden person of the heart”: The word hidden means “concealed and secret” (Thayer p. 362). “The hidden personality of the heart” (Mon); “The inner life” (TCNT); and “The inner loveliness of the heart” (Nor). This is the same as the inner man (2 Cor. 4:16; Romans 7:22), the soul (Matthew 10:28) or the spirit (Heb. 12:9). “Of the heart”: “Behavior that reflects the influence of the gospel and gains men for Christ begins within when Christ rules the heart He rules the conduct. Remember, the inner person of the heart is manifested in our “personality”. “With the imperishable quality”: “Lasting charm” (Tay). “The beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit will last for eternity” (Grudem p. 140). “Her primary cultivation is to be of the inner person, that of the heart. Let that be her distinction and adornment most admired and attended” (Oberst p. 150). (See Proverbs 11:16,22; 12:4; 14:1; 19:13-14; 31:30). “Of a gentle”: This is the“The opposite of self-assertiveness or self-interest” (Vine pp. 55-56). “Gentle, humble, considerate” (Arndt p. 699). “Not characterized by self-will, envy, pride, presumption, or obstinacy” (Woods p. 90). This is the same word as is translated meekness in (Matt. 5:5; 11:29; Gal. 5:23; 6:1). “It means ‘not insistent on one’s own rights’, or ‘not pushy, not selfishly assertive’, ‘not demanding one’s own way’” (Grudem p. 140). In practical terms this means that even though one’s husband is a non-Christian one is not given the right to become arrogant, engage in manipulation, make his life miserable, become rude or caustic, cold or distant, and neither is one allowed to act superior. “Quiet spirit”: The expression means “tranquil” (Thayer p. 281). “The sense of being calm, peaceful, and tranquil as opposed to restless, rebellious, disturbed, or insubordinate” (Davids p. 119). In practical terms this means that such a woman has complete trust in God (Isaiah 30:15), and even when she hears something foolish said by her husband, she responds with calmness, confidence, and respect. She also realizes that out-talking her husband will not accomplish what God desires most—the salvation of her husband’s soul, and that this is no place for harshness, resentment, or bitterness. This is the woman who is not flustered by the unfaithfulness of her husband. She does not pity herself; she is involved as any other member in the congregation, for her trust is in God, and her God will supply all her needs (Matthew 6:33). “Which is precious in the sight of God”: It is even more precious than gold. The word precious means very expensive and valuable. Human estimation and Divine estimation are not always the same (Isaiah 55:8-9; Phil. 3:7). Someone once said, “Remember, gold is street paving material in heaven.” “Tertullian mentions the modest garb worn by Christian women as indicating their consciousness of their new spiritual wealth and worthiness. They exchanged the temples, theaters, and festivals of paganism for the home, labored with their hands, cared for their husbands and children, graciously dispensed Christian hospitality, nourished their spiritual life in the worship service of the church, and ministered to the sick. Their modesty and simplicity were a rebuke to the reaction from the shameless extravagances and immoralities of heathenism. That they were the most conspicuous examples of the transforming power of Christianity is manifest from the admiration and astonishment of the pagan Libanius who exclaimed, ‘What women these Christians have’” (ISBE p. 3103).
Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net/mdunagan@easystreet.com
