Last week, the necessity of submission was introduced, as we considered the Christian's relationship to both the government and business (whether employers or masters). We continue this week with the same theme of submission, but in the context now of the Christian's personal life.

SUBMISSION IN MARRIAGE (3:1-7)
Our text begins, "Wives, likewise be submissive to your own husbands..." The word "likewise" takes us back to the previous text, where the child of God is commanded to be subject to both government and masters, and such is exemplified in Christ Jesus. In the same manner, women are to render submission to their own husbands.

The submissive role of the wife is nothing new. The first mention of it is in the book of Genesis, in fact, in the creation account. Having created Adam, God then took a rib from his side, to make "...a helper comparable to him." (2:18, 20-24). The supporting role of woman is further solidified one chapter later, following the transgression in the garden. God spoke to Eve, "...Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." (3:16).

Besides Peter's instruction here, we find instruction by the apostle Paul elsewhere in the New Testament which speaks of her role in the family unit. Paul stated, "...the head of every man is Christ, the head of every woman is man..." (1 Corinthians 11:3; cf. Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18). Now ladies, don't count this subjection to a husband as a demeaning role, as so many in today's society will characterize it. It is a godly role, which has lasting effects on what our families, churches, communities and countries will be like. Through this divinely ordained role, she will shape the world; bolstering the integrity of her husband (Proverbs 31:11-12, 23), mold the lives of her children (Proverbs 31:27-28), and glorify the name of God (Titus 2:4-5).

Now fellas, don't get high on some wrongly understood sense of power. She is your helper and companion, not your slave. Her role is one of submission, not suppression. If you will fulfill your duty to love, honour, protect, and cherish her (Ephesians 2:25-31) as the head of your household, then it will be all the easier for her to gladly submit herself to your leadership. It is so much easier for a wife to fulfill her role in the relationship when her husband is fulfilling his role, and vice versa.

Now, before we stray too far from our text in 1 Peter, notice why the apostle commands that women be subject to their own husbands, "...that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear." Do you have a non-Christian husband? If you fill your God given role in relation to your husband, it may be that he will be brought to Christ by your godly conduct (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:16).

The woman focused on attaining and maintaining the proper relationship with her husband and God will inevitably be concerned more with her inward appearance than outward. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with looking good, but the Lord sees the hidden person of the heart (Psalm 149:4). By this inward beauty, the Lord is glorified and her husband will be mesmerized. There are a number of examples in the Scripture we might consider; Peter illustrates with Sarah, who "...obeyed Abraham, calling him lord..."

Husbands, you have a role in God's plan for the home also, and it too requires submission. It is not submission to the wife, for man is the head of the household, but rather, submission to the Lord's pattern for the husband. It has been said that a man cannot understand a woman; God commands it. It is not that men are to be experts of every facet of womanhood, but rather, each man is to understand his own wife. Know the woman whom you married; you are one with her (Genesis 2:24). Do not deal treacherously with her, for "...she is your companion and wife by covenant." (Malachi 2:14-15).

In addition, men are commanded to give honour to their wives. The Greek word timh means "to place a value or price upon" (Strong's). Hear the words of king Lemuel's mother, "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10). Again, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." (Proverbs 31:28). Elsewhere in the Proverbs, a good wife is called the crown of her husband (12:4), a good thing (18:22), and of more value than houses and riches from a father (19:14). Friend, we must understand the great value of our wives.

Why give honour to her? He continues, "...as to the weaker vessel..." Peter is not undervaluing women in such a statement. He just finished telling us in the preceding verses that she is to be in submission. As such, she has taken the role of the weaker vessel, and done so willingly, to the glory of God. In response to this, seeing her submission to him, the husband ought to bestow great honour upon her. Even as the texts above quoted from the Proverbs shows that the man who has found a good wife praises her and trusts in her, and finds her value to be great. And understanding, that though the Lord has given different roles for men and women in the home and the church, we are one and the same when it comes to the hope of eternal life. We are "...heirs together of the grace of life..."

Consider then the final words of verse 7: "...that your prayers may not be hindered." Women, does it seem that your prayers have gone unheard? Are you submitting yourself to your husband as you ought? Are you walking a chaste life, adorning the hidden person of the heart? Men, does it seem that your prayers have gone unheard? Have you sought to know and understand your companion and the wife of your covenant? Do you hold her in high esteem, and praise her for her submission to your leadership and the Lord? If we're not doing what we should be as husbands and wives, the apostle plainly reveals that it may hinder our prayers.

SUBMISSION TO ALL (3:8-12)
Having addressed the need for the Christian to be submissive to the governing authorities and masters (employers), and the need for husbands and wives to submit to the Lord's pattern for the home, now the apostle makes a general appeal to God's people regarding submission. He declares, "...all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous..." The whole might be summed up in the thought that all Christians are called to be submissive to one another. In 1 Peter 5:5, the apostles says, "...all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility..."

When one has committed evil against us, we are "...not to return evil for evil or reviling for reviling..." Recall, this is what we saw in the Lord, "...who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return..." (1 Peter 2:22-23). Notice why Peter would have us follow the Lord's example in this, "...that you may inherit a blessing." Namely, eternal life. Our eternal abode in heaven is dependent upon us exercising submission in a humble attitude to our brethren, and not returning evil for evil, but instead, good.

Peter saw fit to end this discussion with a quote from Psalm 34:12-16. We will do the same,

For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.