1 Peter 3:1-7 (Apr.1)
1 Peter 3:1-7
Submission & Honor
(April 1, 2007)
This section of text continues to discuss the theme of submission.
In particular, this passage discusses unleashing the power of submission into your life,
through the framework of the marriage covenant.
Directly, the marriage relationship between a man and woman is described.
Indirectly, the marriage relationship between Christ and the Church (you and me) is described.
It concludes with the overall effect of submission... honor.
Ref: 1 Peter 3:1-7 (NIV)
“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that,
if any of them do not believe the word,
they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,
when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment,
such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
For this is the way the holy women of the past
who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.
They were submissive to their own husbands,
like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master.
You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives,
and treat them with respect as the weaker partner
and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life,
so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
What is submission?
Hupotasso (hoop-ot-as'-so) = to subordinate, to submit yourself under
(word appears 49 times in the New Testament alone)
What is honor?
Time (tee-may') = value, esteem, dignity, to treat as precious
(word appears 43 times in the New Testament)
Rather than looking at the motivation of the actor (as we did last week),
let's look at the effect on the recipient
The Impact of Submission-
Ref: 1 Peter 3:1-2 (NLT)
“In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands.
Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News,
your godly lives will speak to them without any words.
They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. ”
“In the same way” (or “likewise”) conveys the bridge between ch.2 and ch.3.
Many of the women in the congregation were married to unbelieving husbands.
Peter's exhortation is to win these unbelieving husbands over
“by [their] observing your pure and reverent lives”
(the intended ultimate effect of their submission)
Ref: 1 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV)
“Do not let your adorning be external--
the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing--
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.”
Many women in Roman culture were completely obsessed with outer beauty.
What's the driver of obsession with outer beauty?
Selfishness.
God's call to us (specifically, here, to wives) is to focus on “adorning” the heart.
Does this mean that we should walk around unkempt and ragged?
Not at all!
Our key focus should, however, be on “the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit”.
That leads us to the effect of all this “submission” has on the players in our scenario:
On a wife (direct analogy)- the building up of her spirit
(this is how she is wired to show love to her husband)On a husband (direct analogy)- redirection of his attention on a godly life
(even if he's a believer, he needs to be reminded);
our ladies are uniquely skilled in gently reminding us of what godly lifestyle looks like.
It also results in honor bestowed upon the wife (more on that momentarily).On the Church (indirect analogy)- the building up of her spirit
(her perfection/sanctification)On God (indirect analogy)- natural (almost effortless) worship and adoration of Him
The Impact of Honor-
Ref: 1 Peter 3:7 (AMP)
“In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives],
with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation],
honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker,
but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God's unmerited favor) of life,
in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off.
[Otherwise you cannot pray effectively.] ”
Here's the word “homoios” (hom-oy'-oce) again (“in the same way” or “likewise”).
So, in the same way that a wife is called to submit to her husband,
a husband is called to honor his wife.
It is the natural effect of submission, and forms a symbiotic relationship with the wife
(in other words, the husband honors the wife or the wife submits to the husband,resulting in the wife submitting to the husband or the husband honoring the wife,then the husband honors the wife or the wife submits to the husband, and so on).
What do men really want?
Respect (21st Century word for “submission”).
What do women really want?
Care (21st Century word for “honor”).
So, what are the effects of honor on our players?
On a wife (direct analogy)- redirecting her attention to the rewards of a godly life.
On a husband (direct analogy)- the building up of his spirit
(this is how he is wired to show love for his wife)On the Church (indirect analogy)-
redirecting her attention to the rewards of a godly life
On God (indirect analogy)- an effortless outpouring of His love to us.
How should the God of the universe show “honor” to us?
How does He?
Conclusion-
How can we as couples get into the submission/honor cycle?
Praying together (as husband and wife)
Always assuming the best of the other
How can we as the Church get into the same cycle?
Praying together (not separately, but together... on the phone, in person, etc.)
Always assuming the best of each other
