In 1 Pet. 3:1-7, Peter tells husbands to show honor to their wives "as the weaker vessel," but this does not mean that wives are inferior in any way to their husbands. There have been many false teachers, religious groups, and individuals who have used passages like 1 Peter 3:1-7 to abuse and beat women into submission and this is an abomination in the sight of God.
1 Peter 3:1-7 clearly teaches that the promises and privileges of salvation are equal. There is no hint of inferiority in this passage! In fact, it’s downright denied. Peter says to the husbands, "your wives are heirs with you of the grace of life." The promises and privileges of salvation are equal. It is the responsibility of leading in a godly manner that falls squarely on the shoulders of the husband. This means there is no room for oppression and abuse. The godly husband values the opinion of his wife, and after God, she is the next place he goes for advice. Christian men can glean two points of instruction from verse 7. First, men should never lead their families independently of their wife. Next, Christian husbands are to use their position of authority in the home to serve their wife, not themselves!
Let me end this way: Being a submissive wife does not in any shape, form, or fashion relegate the Christian woman to the role of second class citizen. The Bible is clear about this. You are co-heirs with Christ to the Kingdom of God. You are just as much a part of God’s royal priesthood as your husbands. The responsibility to lead is the husbands; but the quiet spirit of a Christian wife is equally important in the eyes of God.
1 Peter 3:1-7 clearly teaches that the promises and privileges of salvation are equal. There is no hint of inferiority in this passage! In fact, it’s downright denied. Peter says to the husbands, "your wives are heirs with you of the grace of life." The promises and privileges of salvation are equal. It is the responsibility of leading in a godly manner that falls squarely on the shoulders of the husband. This means there is no room for oppression and abuse. The godly husband values the opinion of his wife, and after God, she is the next place he goes for advice. Christian men can glean two points of instruction from verse 7. First, men should never lead their families independently of their wife. Next, Christian husbands are to use their position of authority in the home to serve their wife, not themselves!
Let me end this way: Being a submissive wife does not in any shape, form, or fashion relegate the Christian woman to the role of second class citizen. The Bible is clear about this. You are co-heirs with Christ to the Kingdom of God. You are just as much a part of God’s royal priesthood as your husbands. The responsibility to lead is the husbands; but the quiet spirit of a Christian wife is equally important in the eyes of God.
