One of the most difficult and important passages of scripture for women standing for marriage restoration to put into practice is 1 Peter 3:1-6 (AMP), so I’m really excited about how the Lord led me to a much greater understanding of its context and how important it is, especially since that’s been a topic of discussion in most of my conversations with women over the past few days or so.

Unfortunately, we all keep looking for exceptions to the submission and “without a word” part, and do our best to convince ourselves that it surely didn’t mean….blah, blah, blah! It’s especially difficult when our husbands ARE TOTALLY IN THE WRONG, and many women feel they MUST draw the line when it comes to shielding or protecting their children. BUT, that is NOT what the word says. In fact, it’s obviously not unintentional that Peter specifically warns us against giving in to our fears. We ALL know too well that the instruction in these verses goes TOTALLY against our nature and what society teaches us, so it’s ONLY through the grace of God that we can do it, but the rewards are so much worthwhile.

If we go through this passage verse by verse and pull out the important points (looking at several different versions), the first point is that when our husbands are NOT being obedient to the word of God and don’t believe it, GOD will use our being submissive, without a word or discussion by us, to “win them over”, when they CONSISTENTLY see our God glorifying behavior. So the purpose for practicing the instructions in these verses is to win our husbands over to the Lord, NOT MARRIAGE RESTORATION! They will be won over by our consistently pure, modest, and reverent behavior, by a quiet and gentle nature that is not controlling, manipulative, anxious, angry or frustrated. That kind of inner beauty is much more important and powerful than any external beauty or adornment, and it’s precious in the sight of God too, which means we’ll have His favor and protection. This must have been an issue of contention even in Peter’s time, because he says that was how the holy women of “old” who put their hope in God made themselves beautiful, and submitted to their husbands. Peter AGAIN emphasizes the importance of not trying to accomplish this with words, because he said we should have a gentle and quiet spirit, which means our husbands se the peace of God in us, and we’re NOT being controlling or contentious. And he very specifically says that we have to put our hope in God. And then the most incredible aspect of this passage to me is how Peter specifically uses Sarah as the example we’re to follow when he tells us to submit to the leadership, will and authority of our husbands, because the reference he makes is to the time Abraham told Sarah to lie and hide the fact that she was his wife so he wouldn’t be killed because of her beauty if another man was interested in her! Then he even let the Pharaoh take her into his home to sleep with her! Hey, ladies, I didn’t write it! And Peter says that we’re Sarah’s true daughters if we follow Sarah’s example, and “do right”, and not give way to fear and terror! BUT the good news is that GOD rescued Sarah, because she had put her hope and faith in him and not in her totally undeserving husband! And that’s exactly what the Lord wants and EXPECTS us to do! And this passage makes it VERY clear that He knows and understands just how difficult it is for us to do what He is asking us to do, especially when we read it in its full context.

The original manuscripts of the Bible did not have the verse and chapter distinctions of our modern day translations, so there are often times when it really helps to understand the context of what we’re reading by going back to the previous chapter, taking out the verse and chapter references. Yet, even though the first words in this passage indicate we need to do that, I never had. And this weekend was the first time I heard a preacher tie it back to chapter 2, and I couldn’t believe the difference it makes! There’s no way to read it in that context and still question the Lord’s meaning and intentions, so here’s 1 Peter 2:13-3:17 from the Amplified Bible, with a link to BibleGateway.com, to make it easier to compare with other versions:
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service. For it is God’s will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons.
[Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God.
Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor.
[You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate and reasonable, but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked). For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering. [After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God. For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps.
He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.
He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian (the Bishop) of your souls.
IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives, When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him–to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].
Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them].
It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].
In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. [Otherwise you cannot pray effectively.]
Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).
Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God–that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].
For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good–whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!] For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them].
Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good? But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition].
But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. [And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear (unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives]. For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong.

This must be a very important message for someone in particular right now, because that’s just the way the Lord works. It’s had quite an impact on me personally, and I hope it finally makes the case for how important this passage is for us as we stand for the restoration of our marriages, and how important it is for us to put it into practice…especially when it is so hard and we’re so afraid. Trusting God and being obedient to HIS word in such circumstances causes Him to move on our behalf as nothing else can! And as if that weren’t enough, I really couldn’t believe how well Joyce Meyer’s message this morning tied into this post, which I knew I was going to write about for a couple of days now! I can’t remember just how she words it, but she said that the best way to represent God is to be good to people who don’t deserve it, and who will never be able to understand it…but that they WILL be drawn to it and want what we have! What Kind of Influence Are You Having? – Part I is another AWESOME message from Joyce, and a very important one for all of us as we stand for marriage restoration, so don’t miss it!

Posted Monday, August 28th, 2006 at 3:33 pm in Seeds Of Faith.