Subversive Marriage
We’re moving onward in our series called ‘Stand Firm” where we’ve been doing a deep dive into the Books of 1 & 2 Peter. We spent the first 11 weeks on a section of the letter where Peter exhorts his audience to live into their new identity as children of the Heavenly Father. But we’ve spent the last 3 weeks moving into the heart of the letter that focuses on how we live as Christians in light of our new birth — our new identity as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and as God’s special possession. For Week 16 we’re finishing up Peter’s section devoted to the household code for these ‘elect exiles’ that we find in 1 Peter 3:1-7,
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obeythe word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when theysee your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braidingof hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let youradorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle andquiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women whohoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarahobeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fearanything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor tothe woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so thatyour prayers may not be hindered.
Peter addresses this young, budding church and in this instance, a particular group — husbands and wives, who like everyone else were in a precarious position of not fitting well into the broader culture because of their lifestyle as followers of Jesus. He encourages wives to submit to their husbands and continue to imitate their savior (cf. 2:18, 21-26) despite their lower social position. This type of lifestyle is one that God will honor. Ultimately, similar the address to slaves, to behave like Jesus when life is supremely unfair is something that every Christian should be able to identify with. Husbands, “likewise” (cf. 2:18, 3:1) are to live with their wives in an understanding way — that is, in a way where he knows her needs and desires. He is to understand her social position and elevate her in his heart and lifestyle that is befitting her 'co-heir’ status.
Give this doozy of a sermon text a read and a listen and we hope to see you this week at a Family Meal and/or a DNA group to dive even deeper.