The Relationship of Marriage

1 Peter 3:1,7, 8-9

I. The Art of Mutual Respect. Vs.1&7

A. A wife’s subjection. (See 1 Cor.11:8-10; 1 Tim. 2:11-14)

5293 ὑποτάσσω [hupotasso hoop·ot·as·so] #. From 5259 and 5021; TDN# 8:39; TDNT# 1156; G# 5718; 40 occurrences; A# translates as “put under” six times, “be subject unto” six times, “be subject to” five times, “submit (one’s) self unto” five times, “submit (one’s) self to” three times, “be in subjection unto” twice, “put in subjection under” once, and translated miscellaneously 12 times. 1 to arrange under, to subordinate. 2 to subject, put in subjection. 3 to subject one’s self, obey. 4 to submit to one’s control. 5 to yield to one’s admonition or advice. 6 to obey, be subject. Additional Information: A Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a miliary fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.

B. A Husband’s love.

1. Demands knowledge.

2. Requires insight.

3. Both are weak vessels in the sight of God. Therefore the husband needs to be sensitive to this relationship, and not lord over his wife.

7. dwell—Greek, “dwelling”: connected with the verb, 1Pe 2:17, “Honor all.”

knowledge—Christian knowledge: appreciating the due relation of the sexes in the design of God, and acting with tenderness and forbearance accordingly: wisely: with wise consideration.

them … giving honour to the wife—translate and punctuate the Greek rather, “dwelling according to knowledge with the female (Greek adjective, qualifying ‘vessel’; not as English Version, a noun) as with the weaker vessel (see on 1Th 4:4. Both husband and wife are vessels in God’s hand, and of God’s making, to fulfil His gracious purposes. Both weak, the woman the weaker. The sense of his own weakness, and that she, like himself, is God’s vessel and fabric, ought to lead him to act with tender and wise consideration towards her who is the weaker fabric), giving (literally, ‘assigning,’ ‘apportioning’) honor as being also (besides being man and wife) heirs together,” &c.; or, as the Vatican manuscript reads, as to those who are also (besides being your wives) fellow heirs.” (The reason why the man should give honor to the woman is, because God gives honor to both as fellow heirs; compare the same argument, 1Pe 3:9). He does not take into account the case of an unbelieving wife, as she might yet believe.

II. The Behavior of Such. Vs.8-9

A. Not an eye for an eye.

B. Do good for evil.

C. Have pity and compassion.