“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith”
(A Study in I Peter)
Lesson 8- Husbands and Wives:
1 Peter 2:11-12 “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
These two verses have sponsored the last two lessons. The instruction to abstain from fleshly lusts and the command to have our conduct honorable will continue to be at the heart of this lesson as well. There is one social relationship, that if practiced correctly, can help us abstain from fleshly lusts, practice honorable conduct, and allow our good works to be seen; and that is in the marriage relationship!
The moral foundation of every nation lies within the home. As the home goes, so does the nation. The Apostle Paul would also describe this relationship to be vital to the soundness of the church as well (see: Ephesians 5:22-33 ; Titus 2:3-5 ).
Children brought up to respect life, social responsibility, and rule of law; hard working husbands and wives giving more to the community than they take, their lusts satisfied within the sanctity of their own bed. In this relationship there is respect, and more importantly, a specific order. There is a moderate control in their lives that is socially beneficial, as well as morally stable.
This is the thought that Peter wants to bring to mind now as he begins this session with, “Likewise”, or “Moreover”. This denotes that Peter has something more to say on the same subject line, but from a different perspective. Let's take a look at the first text!
Text #1:
1 Peter 3:1-6 “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”
Wives: The wives addressed are disciples; some with believing husbands and some without. It is important to note that that they are expected to be in subjection to their husbands regardless. Subjection to anything has been the subject we have been dealing with since we left the verses quoted in the opening (subjection to governments, masters, and now husbands). It is the idea of, ‘yielding to', for order, safety, and the good of a desired goal. Proper submission of a wife to her husband never stifles her ability to think, express, or grow (there is more to be said on this when we deal with the man's responsibilities). However, she understands that all she has to offer is displayed in a fashion that brings honor to her husband, family, and more importantly, to God! She has chosen this role in order to be honored by her husband, society, and God.
Conduct: To the wives who's husbands are not believers and to the ones that are and they want to keep them that way, the remainder of the first text deals with the kind of conduct that she is to display in order to help her man be a godly husband.
To the first situation (wives without believing husbands), no greater sermon can be preached to them than to see the principles of the word of God practiced in your life. Your un-wavering faith and practice can bring him to God without a single word. This was the same thought that Paul conveyed in his letter to the Corinthians, note:
1 Corinthians 7:16 “For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”
The conduct of the wives is continued in the next verses, and we will discuss them topically.
Chaste: This means, pure from carnality. This describes a modest behavior. It was spoken of by the Apostle Paul as a key role of a young woman in the qualities of a sound church, note:
Titus 2:5 “to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
As this instruction is given for a wives general life and conduct, the fear she is to show is simply a reverence, and respect for that which is right for her as a child of God, and her husband.
Adornment: Verses 3-4 , are a lesson in what a woman should depend on, in an effort to attract and reverence her husband. A wife is not forbidden to put on apparel, or to attempt to look her best, but it is an indictment of the woman who is caught up in that segment alone. Peter says that her apparel is not merely to be outward. This indicates that the way she presents herself has an unseen priority, the inward person of her heart.
Modesty is again the rule of thumb that Peter is trying to teach married women. It is the practice of modesty in a woman's dress, which will allow her inner beauty to be fully visible (the beauty of any person that never fades away). Paul would mirror Peter's teaching on this subject, note:
1 Timothy 2:9-10 “in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”
It is right that a woman display a proper attraction for her spouse, however, it is much more important that she appear as she should in the eyes of God. If she has a mind of humbleness and the conduct of righteousness she will be pleasing in the sight of her husband and God.
Holy Women: Verses 5-6 , are given for the purpose of illustration. It describes in the vestige of women of lore. The conduct, appearance, and reverence they are trying to achieve. All such women are here suggested to be related to one another by these same virtues.
Sarah, who is the pattern given to display the universal character of all these women ( Genesis 18:12 ), does not call Abraham lord in the sense of rank or royalty, but of respect. Thus she did not obey Abraham because she was afraid of him, but out of modesty and respect. All such women of faith, reverence, and respect are called daughters of Sarah, as generations of faithful wives, in this pattern.
Text #2:
1 Peter 3:7 “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”
Husbands: Again the word ‘likewise' is used to denote that the same subject exists from 2:11 -12 , but again from a different perspective. His responsibilities towards his wife, in order for him to promote abstaining from fleshly lusts, and promote good works will be discussed at this point topically.
Understanding: Peter instructs husbands to dwell with their wives in understanding. In the relationship of the wife without a believing husband, it was her responsibility to live in such a way as to influence her husband by her deeds (to hopefully obey the Gospel and live as a godly husband, to establish for her a godly home). If not, she was to live as instructed in verses 2-6 regardless, thus making the task that much harder (something to consider when choosing a mate!).
However, here Peter is speaking to husbands and disciples of the Lord.
This is the first realm of understanding that they were to posses. They were responsible to provide for their wives, the atmosphere that would allow them to fulfill their role as godly women. The godly home is first and foremost the man's responsibility to establish.
The second realm of understanding is given by Peter, when he says, “ giving honor to the wife ”. Paul would describe this in his letter to the church at Ephesus this way, note:
Ephesians. 5:28 “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.”
If this rule of thumb is practiced by the husband towards his wife, she will find it easy to reverence him and apply the godly life she has been called to practice. Face it chaps, what women can honor a man who thinks of her as less than himself? If problems exist in the husband and wife relationship as described in the New Testament, men, you had better look into the mirror first!
The third realm of understanding is described by Peter in the term, “ weaker vessel ”. Everyone has an opinion concerning what it is that makes a woman the weaker vessel (there are obvious physical differences in the normal man and women). I am not going to give this an explanation of physical differences (strength is measured in many different ways physically, if you don't think so guys just remember what your wife endured in child birth). However, instead we are going to need to understand the stations in the home by which God established His design of order (as physical strength is not the point of the understanding, but her role in the home and submission to the man). Every Christian is described spiritually as a vessel (see: II Timothy 2:21 ), therefore, Peter's determination of a weaker one has direct reference to God's order in this relationship; the woman's place to the man.
1 Corinthians 11:3 “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
Ephesians 5:22-23 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.”
1 Timothy 2:12-15 “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.”
(This last passage is given to describe the woman's role in the collective actions of the church and in no way dismisses her from her responsibilities to give an answer for the hope that is in her, to anyone who may ask – I Peter 3:15 )
If we understand all that God has given the woman (child bearing, the home, submission, etc…), we will give her great respect, love, protection, and the value of a godly home.
All of these points of understanding adds up to the man knowing exactly how valuable to the success of His godly home, a godly wife is. He will cherish and nourish her as he does his own body and value her above all earthly assets (the very reason God gave her to him – to help him meet his God given goals – see: Genesis 2:18 ).
Heirs together: While there is a difference in their stations in a godly home, they are equal heirs to the grace of salvation and the favors that the Lord has promised to those who live for Him. There is also equal access to all the things that pertain to life and godliness and the protection from the world that offers.
Their stations will never inhibit their access to God in prayer. As the husband and wife are both disciples, they will engage in mutual and individual prayer services in their homes.
There can be no doubt whatsoever; concerning the value a godly home and the proper marriage relationship have towards the ability of Christians to abstain from fleshly lusts, have their conduct honorable, and practice good works. The godly home is a projection of the faith that inwardly dwells with the men and women that make up these homes. If you proclaim that God exists in your lives through Christ Jesus, you should be able to meet Him inside the doors of your home! Now that is something to chew on awhile!
Next: “ Sanctify the Lord God in Your Hearts ”