THIS chapter continues the practical instruction which Peter gives to the ones to whom he is writing, which is also for their encouragement and strengthening.

VERSES 1-7.

These verses do not sit easily on our minds today. I personally in my ministry have found them abused by so called Christian husbands to dominate and abuse their wives. Peter is not alone in his teaching here. Paul speaks in a similar way in Ephesians 5:22-33, and in Colossians 3:18ff. Peter places his teaching here under the general heading set forth in chapter 2:13 about submitting to authority, and so it is very much an instruction towards the applying of the teaching of the church to the ways of society in his day. The Greek culture was more enlightened concerning the relationship between the wife and the husband than the Barbarians, but still the place of the woman in society was tough.

The direction for wives to be submissive to their husbands must be seen in the context of the culture of the time, and so is a direction to Christian women not to use their freedom in Christ to fight the system, but go along with it, seeking to improve the culture of the day, not by confrontation, but rather by the powerful influence of a godly life which expressed the principles of Christ of love and doing ones best as unto the Lord.

Paul's teaching in Ephesians takes into account the creation order presented in the creation of Adam and Eve, which was an ideal situation, where no sin existed. The trouble is that sin causes human beings to exploit this order. God's order is the principle under which we all must live as Christians, but realise that in the sinfulness of human society, the ideal is never realised as it was envisaged by God, but rather is abused.

The important thing for all women, and not just wives, is to show the love of Christ to husbands and others, winning them by the goodness of living, and the inner beauty of the soul. By this Peter is not condemning beautiful clothes and seeking to be beautiful in outward appearance as inappropriate, but pointing out that the beauty of the soul is a far more precious and worthwhile beauty, which always increases and never grows old, and conducive of promoting good in those who perceive it. There is a further consideration and this is that adorning of the body, clothes and make-up, in New Testament times was the practice of what the Bible calls loose women, and so to be avoided in that culture. Even today it is unwise to dress and appear in such a way which may give wrong signals to men.

Neither Peter or Paul leave out instruction to husbands, though Paul in Ephesians speaks more strongly. Husbands must treat their wives, not as possessions, but partners in the gracious gift of life, and not use their physical dominance to dominate. Husbands must treat their wives with respect, not as inferior but as equals/partners. Paul in Ephesians places a much greater responsibility upon husbands. He tells husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church giving himself for the church even to death.

VERSES 8-12.

Peter now closes his instruction with a general summary of how Christians should live and behave. In this he is showing forth the character which produces peace and happiness in society and relationships. If these instructions were applied by us all in our society, what a difference it would make. However relatively few are Christian today, and so society does not change. This does not mean that we who are Christ's people should not live as Peter describes, and so show forth the way of peace in society.

Living in harmony is a musical illustration. Harmony is when a notes sounds right and beautiful when played together, and does not jar on the ears. Our living must be like this, where our relationships with each other must take into consideration all, and seek to fit into the whole, and not deliberately cause discord.

To do this we must be sympathetic towards others, seeking to understand where they are coming from, and not deliberately trying to offend their sensibilities, and being considerate towards their needs and feelings.

We must be prepared to love other people, not just the people we like or feel comfortable with. Loving as brothers suggests that we give the same love to others as we would to family members. In a family we still tend to love even when brothers or sisters show qualities which hurt us and offend us.

Being compassionate means to be thinking of the other person before ourselves and being willing to accept their failings, and not judge them.

Being humble is when we are ready to accept that we do not necessarily know what is best, and we are ready to accept that we have failings and objectionable qualities like everyone else, and so cease to judge others, but accept them and love them as we would like them to accept and love us with our faults.

We must not retaliate when some other person hurts us or does wrong towards us. Fallen human nature naturally hits back. We see this trait in every level of our society. It is the cause why troubles and disputes continue and increase. Peter gives the Christ like way, which is not to return evil to those who hurt us, but respond to their abuse with kindness and love.