1st Peter 3:1-12 • For you were called… that you might inherit a blessing
…Intro to today’s section…
► Peter continues the theme of SUBMISSION from 2:13-25 by moving from the secular arena, to that of the Christian community.
• In the last section we were challenged to be submissive to our government, as bad as it was/is.
• We were also challenged to be submissive to our “masters”, which we apply in regards to our bosses today.
► But now we are going to leave the secular world, and reflect on how, and why, we need submission amongst ourselves as believers.
• 3:1-6 1st Peter will give instructions to wives
• 3:7 2nd Peter will give instructions to husbands
• 3:8-12 3rd Peter will give instructions to the Christian community as a whole
Wives
1 Peter 3:1-2 → 1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
► Words…
→ “IN THE SAME WAY”
• Same way as what??? A reference back to the end of chapter 2 where he encourages believers to be SUBMISSIVE in their secular involvements.
• Now he’s turning to the family and the church.
→ “SUBMISSIVE”
• This is a word that is not very popular in today’s culture.
• Not just for women, but for everyone.
• In our modern times, at least here in America, we have a very strong “don’t-tell-me-what-to-do” mindset.
• It reminds me a lot of Biblical history where it was said “every man did what was right in his own eyes”.
• (Strongs) A Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a miliary fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”. a
• So I want us to keep the idea, for all realms of submission, that it is voluntary.
♦ As a government leader, as a boss, as a husband, as a leader in the church, it is not my responsibility to make you submit.
♦ It’s your job to place yourself under the appropriate arena of leadership – as it is mine as well.
→ “WIVES”
• I think it’s appropriate to go back to the original “wife” and see just exactly what she was created for.
• Genesis chapter 2..
Genesis 2:18-25 → 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
• I read a posting on Facebook recently where the author made a strong point about just exactly what the word “helper” means.
♦ At first glance, the Hebrew word, ezer (Aazer), means to help and/or succor.
○ I can understand “help” pretty easily, it has the idea of being an extra set of hands to help carry a load, or to hand you the 10mm socket when you’re under the car doing repairs. The idea of both of you working together to complete a task or carry a burden.
○ I had to look up the word “succor”. Merriam Websters dictionary listed this word to mean “something that furnishes relief”. The idea being of someone who provides mental, emotional, or physical soothing, encouragement, or care.
♦ And OBTW, this word “ezer” is used 21 times in the Old Testament, and in 16 of those times, the word is applied to God.
♦ The vast majority of the time, “ezer” describes God as a strong deliverer, protector, or lifesaver in times of trouble.
• So let us get rid of any ideas of a wife being nothing more than a husbands’ personal servant, and understand that she is his partner in all things, and that he couldn’t fully experience the successes of his life without her walking along side him.
► The purpose of your submission…
→ The behavior, chaste and respectful, of believing wives, has the effect of motivating their husbands to get with the program.
• Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to motivate us men, by your exemplary lives.
• Your very positive walk in the Lord can, and should, motivate us to follow the Lord.
• 2 examples from the world of Rock and Roll…
♦ Alice Cooper – at one point in his career, drugs and alcohol were taking control of his life. Ultimately, Cooper credits God for miraculously taking away his addiction entirely, famously stating alongside Sheryl that he didn't need a sponsor because he "had a Savior." However, he heavily credits Sheryl's unwavering boundaries, her commitment to spiritual counseling, and her faith as the earthly anchors that guided him back to Christ.
♦ John Schlitt – once the lead singer of the band “Head East”, after being saved became the lead singer for the Christian band “Petra”. While considering suicide, his wife, who was a new Christian, encouraged him to go see her pastor. He quipped that “he went in with an attitude… and came out with the Holy Spirit.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 → 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
► In this section, Peter is not telling you that you can’t braid your hair or wear jewelry.
► What he is warning them about is focusing more on the external than the internal.
► A quality of character that shines even in the plainest of appearance.
1 Peter 3:5-6 → 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
► In this section Peter references Sarah, the wife of Abraham, as an example of being submissive to her husband.
→ We all know that Abraham made several mistakes in his life, and two of the worst were the times that he was deceptive about his marital relationship with Sarah.
→ Of all the players in that drama, Sarah was the only one who was without fault.
→ She obeyed her husband, which had the potential to bring harm to herself, but God protected her in each situation.
→ I’m not suggesting that wives should just do anything a husband might ask, but she should at least follow her husband’s direction, as long as he’s not putting her in a situation where she would have to disobey God.
Husbands
1 Peter 3:7a → 7a You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman;
► Again, Peter starts with “in the same way”, just as he had with the wives.
→ He reminds us that this is a partnership, not a power struggle.
► I’m certain, that many have found this verse as potentially controversial.
→ Especially in this day and age, some of these words can seem degrading.
• NASB, NKJV, ESV – ”in an understanding way” like women need to be handled carefully.
• KJV – “according to knowledge” like women are crazy or something.
• NIV – “be considerate”. I like this translation the best as it gives me the idea of making sure that I take my wife’s viewpoints into account.
• I’m not saying these words are meant to be negative; I just feel that they can be understood to be demeaning to women.
• “someone weaker, since she is a woman…”
• A better translation, as it is in NKJV, KJV, and ESV is “weaker vessel”, which in my opinion seems less derogatory.
• Just calling someone “weak” without any clarification I think can be misconstrued.
• “Weaker vessel” is more pointed to the obvious differences in physical anatomy.
♦ Generally speaking, women are structured differently than men.
○ While Geri is way more athletic than I am, and much more active, I am still called upon to open various jars of pickles, and to reach the frozen meals at the back of the top shelf in the frozen foods section of the store.
♦ I know that in today’s world some people can’t seem to grasp that.
♦ The state of California still doesn’t understand that biological men have an advantage over biological women in sports.
♦ There is even a huge controversy going on in the WNBA over what the definition of a woman is.
♦ Genesis 1:27 says “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
• Husbands are supposed to be protective of their wives, by their very nature.
1 Peter 3:7b → 7b and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
► Peter goes on to remind us that as our partner, our wife is to be honored as our equal, in regards to our salvation.
→ He also states that to fail to do this will create a roadblock in our relationship with God.
► I want to finish this section on wives and husbands to look briefly at what Paul has to say in Ephesians.
• A wife’s role is that of submission, primarily to the husband, but ultimately to the Lord.
→ Ephesians 5:25 → 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,…
• A husband’s role is that of sacrifice, doing whatever is necessary for the benefit of his wife.
→ Ephesians 5:33 → 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
• I can’t help but think that if a husband truly loved his wife sacrificially, that it wouldn’t be that hard for her to respect him.
Christian Community
1 Peter 3:8-12 → 8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For,
► So Peter gets to the end of this section about submission, and sums it up with the idea that we are supposed to be working together, trying to get along, and generally trying to do our best for the betterment of our fellow believers.
► He also reminds them, that even in this time of persecution, that God desires to bless them, and part of that seems to come from actually being a blessing to others.
► Then in verses 3:10-12 Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16, a Psalm written by David at a time when he was in danger.
► It’s a reminder to us, that even in the worst of times, it’s imperative that we live in a way that will best reflect the character of Jesus.
So what?
1st → Wives – dazzle us with your inner beauty – be a reflection of Christ
• Let the example of how you walk in Christ motivate us to be more Christlike.
2nd → Husbands – lead us with humility and compassion – show the love of Christ
• Make it a priority to serve your wife, protecting and caring for her.
3rd → Church – make an effort to get along – as you are a blessing, you will be blessed
• Make every effort to live in a way that the world will have nothing negative to say about Christ.
a - Strong, J. (1995). In . Woodside Bible Fellowship. Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
Photo • 2026/08/15 - Sunrise at the dam at Lake Oologah, Oologah, OK
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