Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Peter 3:1 KJV
Submission has become one of the most misunderstood commands in Scripture. Men have used it to rule over their wives with force and even abuse. Some churches have made women inferior to men as a whole.
Let’s see what submission really means.
Obviously from our focal verse, wives are to be in submission or subjection to their own husbands. Nowhere in Scripture are women told to be in submission to men in general. Only to her own husband.
Another misinterpretation is that wives don’t have to submit to an unbelieving husband. However, Peter is writing to those particular women in this passage. A husband who does not obey the word, as Peter states, is still head of the household.
The wife is also subject to God, and when her husband, or anyone for that matter, asks her to act in contradiction to the Bible, she must choose God.
God has an order of headship as explained in the following verse:
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV)
Man is the head of the woman, just like God is the head of Christ. God the Father and Jesus Christ are equals. They are of the same nature. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly stated He was doing His Father’s work. He was about His Father’s business. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for the Father’s will. If Jesus had got out of alignment, we could never be redeemed.
Compare the headship of the Father and Christ to the headship of husbands and wives. Husbands and wives are equals. The wife isn’t inferior to her husband like Christ was never inferior to the Father.
Headship gives the last say in a matter to God, like in the case of the cross. Headship gives the last say to husbands in a marriage.
It’s also important to note that submission must never be forced. It isn’t difficult for a wife to submit to a godly husband.
Notice that Christ is the head of the man. When a man stays in subjection to Jesus, women can easily submit to their husbands.
I don’t know your husband, but I know what the Word of God says. Maybe he is a bully. Perhaps, he is irritable and rude, even unfair with money. As daughters of God, we must remain in alignment ourselves. Otherwise, we are hindering God’s blessings and our prayers. Respect your man. Love him, and trust him to God. Wait for God to transform him. God honors the marriage that honors God.
Lord, help us as godly women have patience with our husbands. Transform us into the wives that please You. Transform him into the godly leader of the house. In Jesus’ name, Amen
DIG DEEPER
Read 1 Peter 3:1-12.HIKING THE TRAIL
If you are in an unusual situation or abusive marriage, please seek help and safety. Otherwise, make a point to compliment your husband today. Stroke his ego a bit. God will bless you for it.
RESOURCE
Enhance your prayer life with Incense Rising: 60 Days to Powerful Prayer
Originally posted on February 21, 2020 @ 3:00 am