Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. With what word does verse 7 (printed below) begin? What does this indicate? What is the connection between Peter’s counsel to Christian husbands and his previous admonitions? Note 1 Peter 2:13-14, 2:18 and 3:1 (printed below)
Likewise, may the husbands live with their wives in an understanding way: showing respect to the wife as a weaker partner and as a co-heir of the grace of life. Conduct yourselves in this way so that your prayers are not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)
Submit to every human authority for the Lord’s sake; whether to the king as the supreme human authority, (14) or to governors as those appointed by him to punish evildoers and to commend those who do what is right. (1 Peter 2:13-14)
Let the servants be in submission to their masters with all respect, not only submitting to the good and kind masters, but also to those who are harsh. (1 Peter 2:18)
Likewise, let the wives be in submission to their own husbands (1 Peter 3:1)
Verse 7 begins with the word, “Likewise.” By using the word, “likewise,” Peter is connecting his exhortation to Christian husbands with the other exhortations that have preceded it. Christian citizens are to be in submission to the governing authorities (2:13-14). Christian servants are to be in submission to their earthly masters (2:18). Christian wives are to be in submission to their husbands (3.1). Each of those previous exhortations focused on the Christian’s submission in the particular relationships of life in which he finds himself. As this exhortation applies to Christian husbands it refers to their submission to Christ. What Peter is alluding to and what he presents in abbreviated form is more fully presented to us by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:3.
2. What do you think it means for Christian husbands to live with their wives in “an understanding way?”
To dwell with his wife “in an understanding way” means that the Christian husband must be considerate of his wife. The Christian husband must seek to understand his wife; he must be sensitive to her. He must recognize the fact that his wife, as a woman, is different from himself as a man. He must recognize that his wife is not “a smaller model of the male,” she is altogether different; she is a female.
3. What further instruction does Peter give to Christian husbands in verse 7 (printed below?)
Likewise, may the husbands live with their wives in an understanding way: showing respect to the wife as a weaker partner and as a co-heir of the grace of life. Conduct yourselves in this way so that your prayers are not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)
The Christian husband is further exhorted to honor his wife—to respect her and treat her with dignity. In positive terms, to honor one’s wife involves such things as showing her courtesy, having patience with her, displaying gentleness towards her and helping her. In negative terms, to honor one’s wife means refraining from such things as displays of harshness, bitterness, irritability (and asking forgiveness when such attitudes are exhibited), outbursts of anger, ridicule, and resentment, insulting her, making her the object of cruel and demeaning jokes, or taking her for granted.
4. How is the Christian husband to view his wife? See 1 Peter 3:7 (printed above under question #3)
The Christian husband is to view his wife as being “a weaker partner;” as being in need of his care, his protection, his strength (both physical and emotional), his prayers. Furthermore, the Christian husband is to view his wife as being “a co-heir of the grace of life;” that is to say, a fellow believer with equal status before God, a precious soul for whom Christ died.
5. What warning does Peter give to Christian husbands if they fail to heed his admonition for them to live with their wives in a Christ-like manner? See 1 Peter 3:7 (printed above under question #3)
The Christian husband is to honor his wife, and indeed, carry out all the exhortations of this passage, “so that your prayers are not hindered.” If, as a Christian husband, you are not fulfilling your God-given role and your responsibility to your wife, you are creating a rupture in your relationship with your God (note Isaiah 59:1-2). It is a serious and dangerous thing to put yourself into a position in which you are hindering your access to the throne of grace—the only place where you can find mercy and help (note Hebrews 4:16).
