1 Peter 3:1-6. "The Wife Of Noble Character”. Series

1 Peter 3:1-6. 3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but 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. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. (ESV)

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In Peter’s day when a wife became a Christian, the potential for difficulty was much greater than it was if the husband first became a believer. A wife was expected to profess the religion of her husband. In that society when women, who were viewed as inferior to men, became Christians without their husbands also becoming saved, the likelihood of his being embarrassed and shamed by what was viewed as an act of defiance by his wife, was predictable, as was the conflict subsequently generated. Husband would consider her unfaithful to him and his pagan religion. Under Roman law, the wife had no rights. Under Greek law, her status was quite limited for example in property rights. Under Jewish practice, she could be divorced for almost any reason with little recourse. If the wife persisted in her new religion to the extent that others outside the household learned of it, the husband would also feel embarrassment and suffer criticism for not properly managing his household. This could seriously damage his social standing, even to the point of disqualifying him for certain honors and offices (Jobes, K. H. (2005). 1 Peter (p. 203). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.).

Most of us can testify to having a close friend or congregation member that is going through this situation. Once again, this is not some intellectual speculation, but a real life, current issue of concern that touches us all. When we can understand the situation and how to appropriately respond, our counsel will be wise, our testimony will be strong and the radical life changing impact of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be shouted in its perfection and glory.

In 1 Peter 3:1-6 we can see three qualities of a Wife of Noble Character. She is 1) Submissive, 2) Faithful (1 Peter 3:1-2) and 3) Modest (1 Peter 3:1-2).

For a Wife of Noble Character:

1) She is to be submissive and faithful (1 Peter 3:1-2)

1 Peter 3:1-2 [3:1] Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, [2] when they see your respectful and pure conduct. (ESV)

The expression Likewise refers back to the two previously mentioned examples of submission: citizens to civil authorities (2:13) and servants to masters (workers to employers) (2:18). All flowing from the directive that salvation means submission to Christ resulting in believers being submissive to one another. In married life, a husband is expected to give leadership, exercise authority, and obey God. He should understand that God has given him authority which he must use lovingly for the well-being of his wife. His wife should strive to uphold her husband and help him in his task. With her talents and abilities, she is God’s servant in fulfilling her role as her husband’s helper (Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 119). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).

The word translated “be subject/submissive” (hupotassog, Gk.) literally means “to place under.” The term implies no coercion or condescension but a voluntary recognition of God’s assignment of leadership to the husband.( Criswell, W. A., Patterson, P., Clendenen, E. R., Akin, D. L., Chamberlin, M., Patterson, D. K., & Pogue, J. (Eds.). (1991). Believer’s Study Bible (electronic ed., 1 Pe 3:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.) Given the pain that can be evoked by this text, I want to say a few things about what Peter’s call to submission does not mean for Christian wives. It does not mean that if your husband asks you to abandon your faith in Christ, you should do so. It does not mean that if your husband asks you to sin, you should do so. It does not mean that you must always agree with him and never present a differing view. It does not mean that if he is unfaithful to you, you are left without Biblical recourse. It does not mean that if he abuses you physically or abandons you through incessant verbal humiliation, you must remain quietly in the home and accept the daily cruelty of that relationship at all costs (Helm, D. R. (2008). 1 & 2 Peter and Jude: sharing christ’s sufferings (p. 102). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.).