1 Likewise, ye wives, be in
subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may
without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste
conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be
that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of
putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of
the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and
quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old
time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in
subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham,
calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not
afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell
with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the
weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your
prayers be not hindered. 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or
railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto
called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and
see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they
speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do
good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are
over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of
the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:1-12)
Due to the pronounced sentiments surrounding political correctness in our day,
I searched diligently for a rendering of this text that did not so forcefully
reveal the sins of our day; however, not finding such a rendering, I decided to
settle for the pure Word of God as presented in the majesty and reverently
accurate King James Version of the Bible.
Peter was a man of the sea in his pre-conversion life. This introduction of the
third chapter of First Peter, in naval jargon, might be considered a shot
across the bow of modern social engineers as regards womanhood, marriage, and
lavishly revealing apparel. But I would like to begin the devotion with a letter
a woman of 250 years past (how social mores have changed!) wrote to her husband
proclaiming her great love for him:
If ever two were one, then surely
we
If ever man were loved by wife,
then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man
Compare with me, ye women, if you
can.
I prize thy love more than whole
mines of gold
Or all the riches that the east
doth hold.
My love is such that rivers
cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee,
give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way
repay,
The Heavens reward thee manifold
I pray.
Then while we live, in love let
so persevere
That when we live no more we
shall live ever.
Anne Bradstreet
wife of the Governor of Massachusetts Colony
1678
This poem of Anne reflects perfectly that endearing love that the Church should
harbor for her Betrothed Bridegroom - the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what
proper marriage is intended, by God, to foreshadow and exemplify. Ironically,
the New Testament does not command women to love their husbands, but the Word
does command the husband to love the wife. How much, you ask? Therefore as the church is subject
unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water
by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without
blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth
his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but
nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (Eph 5:24-29)
We may wonder, why the word does not command the same love from the wife? I
believe it is because of the nature of the feminine heart - tender and always
ready to respond to the unimpeded love of her husband. If the husband is true
and gallant in his love for his wife, his wife cannot resist returning that
love.
The heart of a strong man can be melted with love and turned into a gold mine
of virtue by a virtuous woman. "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to
your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the
word be won by the conversation of the wives." On earth, the agency
for teaching and nurturing in the Word is the proper role of the Church. The
woman may serve that role (being a reflection of the Church) in the life of a
rebellious man. Kindness can master the waves of the sea: If thine enemy be hungry, give him
bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt
heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. (Prov
25:21-22) By the
way, "being subject" to one's husband does not mean to be as a
servant or as a second-class mate in a marriage. It means to submit to the
GODLY leadership of the husband, but not the ungodly! The Law of God always
takes precedence over all inferior laws.
So we see that the conversation of the wife must be virtuous and wholesome, not
profane and vulgar. What of apparel? Yes, that is covered as well to the
chagrin of modern fashion - it is for this reason that the modern world hates
the Word of God (it keeps getting in the way): Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of
plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let
it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great
price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted
in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even
as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye
do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Truly, flimsy fashions in dress are inappropriate for a
proper lady and particularly one of faith. Remember that I have written that
when the Word refers to MAN in generalities, it refers to both men and women
(womb-men). The reason for modesty in dress is that the hidden man of the heart
is reflected in the outward appearance.
Husbands, if you will stand in favor of God and desire answers to prayer, you
had best heed this counsel: Likewise,
ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the
wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of
life; that your prayers be not hindered. As a good shepherd cares for his
sheep and is willing to lay down his life on their behalf (as did our Lord) so
must the husband love and honor his wife!
Our Lord prayed, on the night of His betrayal, that we (the Church) would be
One with Him as He was One with the Father. Neither
pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their
word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And
the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as
we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;
and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as
thou hast loved me. (John 17:20-23) You will remember God's first
institution in the Garden eastward in Eden - Holy Matrimony? "They
twain shall be ONE flesh." How completely descriptive of both Godly
marriage and the Kingdom of God! Peter says: Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
Another important aspect of divinely ordained marriage is that of serving as an
example to the world of true living and Godly demeanor: Not rendering evil for evil, or
railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called,
that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good
days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no
guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For
the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their
prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Volumes have been written without exhausting the depth of meaning of Marriage.
This short devotion only touches on a single facet of that Holy Institution. It
is my hope and prayer that further curiosity of the matter will be spurred
herewith to search the Scriptures for fuller beauty and truth on the subject;
and that marriage will be restored in our time to the Holy plan of our Father
in Heaven to reflect that biblical relationship which exists between one man
and one woman in the Holy Bands of Matrimony.
