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As Christ Loved the Church, Part 2

 

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. (1 Pet. 3:7 KJV)

 

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Pet. 3:7 NIV)

The word that the King James Version renders as “honor” is translated “respect” in the NIV. The key to the definition is in the context. “Husbands, in the same way…” What way? 1 Peter 3:1 reads, “Wives, in the same way…” What way?

Look back at 1 Peter 2: “Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God” (1 Pet. 2:18-20).

“The same way” refers to this command to Christian slaves. It also refers to verse 21: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).

What was that example?

“'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Pet. 2:22-25).

The title of the book In His Steps was taken from verse 21. When the heroes and heroines in the book had to make a decision, they asked themselves what Jesus would do if He were in their position. Then they would guess the answer and act on their guess. The same question sparked the WWJD fad among Christian youth several decades ago. The problem with the book and the fad is that people try to guess what to do in situations where Jesus’ example already gives the answer. He did not retaliate.

“The same way” for wives is the same “same way” for husbands: follow Christ’s example. Notice the words for wives: submissive, without words, purity, reverence, and gentle and quiet spirit. Notice the words for husbands: considerate and respect. The husband does the respecting here. This is following Jesus’ example.

These are heart words, not mouth words. A wife can keep her mouth shut and be screaming inside. A husband can be “considerate” and have it be just an act. If you have the heart, the fruit of the Spirit will show as you do things “in the same way.”

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