Steadfast
“Wives and Husbands”
1 Peter 3:1-7

1 Peter 3:1-7

Understanding the “explosive” words

“Weaker vessel”

Culturally				
• Weaker in every area
• Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually		

Biblically
• Physically weaker – to be protected 
• Vessel = common Greek metaphor for “body” 

“Subject to”

Culturally
• “The Household Code”		
• Wives were property; required to obey

Biblically
• Subject = yield or create order
• Voluntary 
• Women play a key role in stabilizing chaos

Counter-cultural “bomb”

“… since they are [co-]heirs with you of the grace of life …” –1 Peter 3:7

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” –Galatians 3:28

“… submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” –Ephesians 5:21

Equal
God created us equal in worth and personhood with unique roles and responsibilities.

Wives – 1 Peter 3:1-6
Your behavior and demeanor are far more important than your words or beauty. – v. 1
Genuine respect is more attractive than mere beauty.  – v. 2
Your reverence for God will not go unnoticed. – v. 2
Don’t give in to the superficial judgement of others. – v. 3-4

Husbands – 1 Peter 3:7
Your life should seek to understand her needs first.
Value your wives’ wisdom, emotional strength, boldness and depth of faith.
Your spiritual decisions have huge relational implications.
Your ego and selfishness will damage others’ relationship with God. 

Marriage Research (Source: The Gottman Institute)
The average couple waits six years before seeking counseling.
Half of all marriages end in the first seven years.

Four Horsemen of Marriage Apocalypse: 
1. Criticism
2. Contempt
3. Defensiveness
4. Stonewalling

Without seeking help, couples with all four divorce 5.6 years after the wedding on average.
	
Every relationship we have is an opportunity to live out who we are in Christ to win over unbelievers or inspire followers of Jesus.

Marriage may be the most prominent example.