“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to
your own husband.”
1 Peter 3:1
“The unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife.”
1 Corinthians 7:14
“For what knowest thou, O wife; whether thou shalt save thy husband? but as God hath distributed to every [woman], as the Lord hath called everyone, so let [her] walk.” 1 Corinthians 7:16-17
There is great significance in the word “likewise” in 1 Peter 3:1. It refers back to verses in the second chapter of First Peter, perhaps to verse 18: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” In addition, God through Peter reminds us, “If, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (vs. 20). Then he describes the unjust treatment Jesus received, His suffering, and His response of not retaliating, but rather committing “Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (vs. 23). In this way God’s Word instructs us to be subject to our husband as Jesus was to God and as a servant should be to his master. Whether our husband is kind or froward, even if we suffer in our marriage for doing well like Christ, let us learn to respond as He did.
If our husband is not in obedience to God, he may be won, as he witnesses our reactions, by our “meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price” (vs. 4). Christ is our example of a “quiet spirit” in that He did not revile or threaten, and there was “no guile found in His mouth” (1 Pet. 2:22). He gives us a wonderful example of what to do when we are tempted to defend our wishes to our husband. Jesus invites us to learn of Him, and to take His yoke on ourselves in one of His few descriptions of Himself: “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). He promises us that in so doing we will find rest in our souls.
Ironically, the more difficult it is for us to honor and submit to our husband, the more we have the opportunity to live as Christ did, not reviling but responding in quiet meekness. Let us trust God that the end results will be that our husband will be won and we will truly have been his helpmeet.