The Father As A Husband Series

1 Peter 3:7. Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (ESV)

Fathers are just as important to their children as mothers, even when they do not conform to sensitive New Man standards. Motherlessness is an incalculable sorrow in a child’s life. But the absence of a living father is the single greatest predictor for a child’s social and economic failure in adult life... Conversely, responsible fatherhood is the single greatest predictor for a child’s success. Girls without fathers are more likely to suffer low self-esteem, become pregnant out of marriage or embrace promiscuity, while boys without fathers are at risk for a multiplicity of poor outcomes, notably school dropout, gang membership and imprisonment.

(https://nationalpost.com/opinion/barbara-kay-dont-sell-fathers-short-they-are-as-crucial-to-a-childs-well-being-as-a-mother)

When Peter wrote to the saints of Asia minor, he knew how important it was for the community of God to function in such a way that encouraged godliness. He begins in 1 Peter 3:7 to state something: “likewise/In the same way” which refers again to the duty of submission (2:13, 18; 3:1). Peter began the epistle talking about submission to Christ then we saw the application in three particular situations: 1 Peter 2:13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, (ESV), then applying to the modern context of the workplace: 1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. (ESV), and finally in 1 Peter 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, (ESV). Now he is going to say how The Father as Husband will be with them in ways that are: Physical—“live/dwell with them.”, Intellectual—“in an understanding way/according to knowledge.”, Emotional—“showing/giving honor to the woman/wife” and Spiritual—“that your prayers be not hindered.” (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 411). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

For those married or planning on marriage, no doubt in your wedding you exchanged vows with your spouse. Marriage vows traditionally include the notions of affection ("love, comfort, keep"), faithfulness ("forsaking all others"), unconditionality ("for richer or for poorer", "in sickness and in health"), and permanence ("as long as we both shall live", "until death do us part"). As grand as these are, the standards that God indicates goes well beyond. As difficult as the calling has been for wives in submission, the demand for Husbands goes far and above.

For The Father as Husband who submits to serve his wife. Husbands obey that duty by adhering to three basic responsibilities in caring for their wives’ needs: 1) Consideration (1 Peter 3:7a), 2) Companionship (1 Peter 3:7b),and 3) Chivalry (1 Peter 3:7c).

The Father as Husband who submits to serve his wife in caring for her needs, does so through:

1) Consideration (1 Peter 3:7a)

1 Peter 3:7a Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, (showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered). (ESV)

Illustration: Reverse Reasoning

Often when couples meet for premarital counselling, they are often entranced in a rosy fog of optimism. Blinded to the shortcomings, each sees only the other’s good points. But as the excitement of the new marriage wears off, they often drift to the opposite extreme and view these same traits as faults. Someone has called this “reverse reasoning,” giving the following examples: “She married him because he was ‘strong and masculine’ she divorced him because he was a very ‘dominating male.’ He married her because she was so ‘fragile and petite’ He divorced her because she was so ‘weak and helpless.’ She chose him because ‘he knew how to provide a good living’ She left him because ‘all he thought about was the business.’ He married her because she was ‘steady and sensible’ He divorced her because she was ‘boring and dull.’ (- H.G.B.Our Daily Bread, June 3)

• When the responsibilities of fatherhood are added to the obligations, unless a godly perspective and commitment drives the service of the father, the pressures and frustrations can easily overwhelm the task.

In 1 Peter 3:7 the husband is directed to “live with your wives”. Live (sunoikountes) which means “dwelling together” and refers to living with someone in intimacy and cherishing them. Believing husbands must constantly nourish and cherish their wives in the bond of intimacy: Proverbs 5:18-19 [18] Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, [19]a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 [3] The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. [4] For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. [5] Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (ESV). As the closest human relationship, the relationship to one’s spouse must be most carefully cherished if one wishes a close relationship with God (Davids, P. H. (1990). The First Epistle of Peter (p. 123). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).