I Peter 3: 1-6 . . . . this applies to all believers!

I almost feel as if I should place a disclaimer here at the top of our first post this week..... these are some verses that have caused no end of discussions (arguments) and irritation for many years. More so in recent years, as our culture has changed even more. But listen up, folks!!

THE QUALITIES THAT PETER ENCOURAGES THESE WOMEN TO ADOPT APPLY EQUALLY TO ALL BELIEVERS, TOO!! MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE!
Alright, I apologize for shouting at you; Peter is talking about developing the right attitudes, being chaste in our sexual relationships, being reverent, quiet, and valuing the inner person more than the outward appearance. That applies to all believers, no matter if one is male or female!
Nuff said?
OK, let's dive in!

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. (I Peter 3:1-6)

Whoooooweee!
That's a lot to digest!
These verses are tough to explain, and even tougher to apply in the midst of our culture, today. Wow. It's tough enough to talk about the submission of wives to godly husbands. Or the submission of employees to employers. Or how to respect civil authority.

But Peter seems to be saying here that wives should submit to husbands that are ungodly.  Isn't Peter being cruel? Insensitive?  I mean, come on, isn't he giving free rein to spouses who would abuse each other? (And sometimes it is the wives who abuse their husbands, don't forget.) I've known of supposedly Christian homes where the husband pretty much stomps on his marriage partner's individuality. I've known homes where alcoholism is an issue, and the wife enables the addict's wrong behavior. Doesn't the submissive attitude of the wife exacerbate these problems?

Peter, you don't know the world we live in, today! We live in a society that values individual rights, especially those who feel they are pushed down by the system. We are continually being encouraged to stand up and to fight back. It's gotten so that self-fulfillment and "finding yourself" has become the mantra in America, and those who perceive they are in a difficult marriage are told to do what they must, in order to seek happiness. And submission is not usually one of the action items....

In order to understand what this passage means, and to avoid arguments during our study, I think we need to realize that Peter's theme started back in chapter two. He is still talking about being a Christian witness in a pagan, alien world. In his time, a woman was supposed to accept her husband's religion. (Remember when we studied Naomi? We said that she was a bit unusual for her time, for in spite of marrying outside her faith, she kept her faith and her religion.) 
In Peter's day, if a wife became a Christian, she was regarded by most to be insubordinate! So her acceptance of the gift of salvation was a pretty explosive situation. Peter didn't want to add to the fireworks by having the wife be defiant. He gives instructions on how the new believers could live with their unbelieving mates, in a way that would bear witness for Jesus Christ.

Now, let me say again, in my studies I've been impressed with the fact that the qualities Peter is encouraging these ladies to emulate should apply to all Christians -- male and female! We all need to adopt a submissive spirit, be chaste, reverent, and gentle, and also to look more at the inner person than the outward one.
So, be patient with me as we work our way through these verses..... whether married or unmarried, man or woman, I believe all Christians can get something from these verses!

(I've also known peeps who use these verses to justify marriage to an unbeliever....that's not what Peter is teaching here. He was writing to spouses who had become Christians after marriage. That's different.)

Whether male or female, a Christian spouse should live with an unbelieving partner so that he or she will be attracted to Christ by the believer's behavior.

Kinda explosive?
Have I got your attention? (Grin)
See ya next time!!