Time again for my favourite mantra, “forget the chapter divisions”. What we read now follows on from what we have just read. “Wives, in the same way ...” . This would seem to imply that what Peter has just been saying was aimed primarily at men. Clearly it has general application to all, and in today’s society has practical application to all, but in Peter’s day possibly had more direct application to men. Men tend to rebel against authority more than women (all this is a generalisation), the servant-master relationship was perhaps more applicable to men. Now Peter applies the same principles to women and the situations they commonly encountered in that day. First he speaks to women who have unbelieving husbands. So perhaps situations weren’t that different to today where there are a higher proportion of women than men in most churches! In such a situation the women were to submit to their husbands. Now, if anyone is tempted to get on their high horse about this being grossly unfair, remember that Peter has just instructed men to submit to harsh masters. So the same principles are being applied to all. We do not advance the kingdom by adopting worldly methods and principles (2 Cor 10:4). Why is Jesus so “popular”? Why has He had such an impact? Because He obeyed the Father and endured much suffering. Because He did this the power of the Holy Spirit worked in His life. We need to follow the same path. So women were to seek to win unbelieving husbands by their behaviour. This does not mean they should never speak to their husbands about Jesus or the gospel, but constant nagging and preaching won’t do it. Words and actions are the way to go. Then they will see something different about the lives of their wives, they will see the difference Christ makes, they will see Christ in them. Then they cannot argue against that.
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