Husbands, in the same way...

Read 1 Peter 3:7

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Throughout this long section about submission to others, Peter emphasises that this is the way of godliness. It is done for the Lord’s sake (2:13), in response to Christ’s example (2:21), and results in holy living (3:2). For all these reasons, the teaching applies to all Christians, both men and women, and that’s made explicit in this verse.

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The same kind of sacrificial, caring service should likewise characterise the husband’s behaviour to his wife. In the patriarchal context of the time, this is a remarkable statement which would have been shocking to many. The Christian husband must see his wife as an equal partner in the family of God – they are heirs together of eternal life (1:4; Rom.8:17). Because of that, he must treat her with consideration and honour, valuing her just as God does (3:4).

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So as God’s holy people we must all “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph.5:21), ridding ourselves of self-centredness in order to grow up in our salvation (2:1-2; Ph.2:3). Selfishness will always get in the way of effective prayer but living as a humble servant pleases God, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (5:5-7; Jas.4:6-10).