Sunday, December 6, 2009
Good for the Goose…
(I Peter 3:7-11)
Peter’s admonition to women regarding male headship (3:1-6) is followed immediately by his instructions to men regarding proper treatment of their wives. For Biblical precepts to work in marriage, both husband and wife must be committed to the roles assigned them by God. Commands in the Bible regarding marriage simply will not work in situations where both partners are not committed to the Biblical model.
Verse 7 of today’s passage begins with the word “likewise.” “Likewise” is a connector—relating the commands of womanly submission to the requirement for male understanding. If a man expects his wife to honor him, he must—according to the Bible—seek to understand her (7). In short, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander too!
It’s not enough for a man to love his wife; he must dwell with her “according to knowledge.” He must understand her needs, concerns, strengths, and weaknesses. Of course, such is a very individual and personal process. What works well in one marriage may not work in another because all women are different. The burden is placed upon the man to figure out his wife and then dwell accordingly.
Note as well that the husband is to “honor” his wife (7). Sounds strikingly similar to Sarah’s honoring of Abraham in verse 6, doesn’t it? In honoring his wife, the husband acknowledges her as the “weaker vessel,” thus protecting and sheltering her. And he also recognizes that together they are equal “heirs” of God’s grace. Now that’s the full picture of God’s authority structure for marriage!
