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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to
observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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January 16, 2011
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Contents:
1) 1 Peter 3:1-7 (Tom Edwards)
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-1-
1 Peter 3:1-7
by Tom Edwards
In 1 Peter 3:1-6, Peter writes: "In the same way, you wives, be
submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are
disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior
of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful
behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external -- braiding
the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it
be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a
gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God,
used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her
children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear."
In this passage, Peter shows that wives are to be submissive to their
husbands. As we think of a reason for this role, we can consider
what the Bible states in these following passages: 1 Corinthians
11:8,9: "For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for
indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the
man's sake." This is an allusion to Genesis 2:18,21-23, where God
says, "...'It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper
suitable for him.'" "So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall
upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up
the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned into a
woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the
man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones, And flesh
of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of
Man.'"
Peter cites the specific example of Sarah, in 1 Peter 3:6, who obeyed
her husband Abraham, calling him "lord" -- thus acknowledging the
headship of her husband to rule over her. This same principle is
also set forth in Ephesians 5:22-24, where Paul gives the following
instruction: "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the
Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is
the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as
the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their
husbands in everything."
A brief parallel passage of this is seen in Colossians 3:18, "Wives, be
subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
Paul also shows of the man's headship over the woman in 1 Corinthians
11:3, "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every
man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of
Christ."
So there are various verses that instruct the wife to be in subjection
to her husband. One other passage on this is Titus 2:4,5, where
Paul directs the older women to teach and encourage the younger women
"...to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible,
pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so
that the word of God will not be dishonored."
Peter then gives another good reason for why the wife should be in
subjection to her husband in 1 Peter 3:1: "so that even if any of them
are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the
behavior of their wives." The King James Version translates this
as "that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be
won by the conversation of the wives." The phrase "without the
word" sounds as if it is talking about the gospel. But the NASB
renders this as "without a word" -- meaning, as the passage continues
to show, that the wife would be able to win her husband by her conduct,
rather than by her speech. That conduct would certainly not be
without "the word" (the gospel). Rather, it would be based on the
gospel and expressed in even her silent demeanor.
The Greek word for "conversation," which the KJV uses in this passage,
is "anastrophe"; and which the KJV also translates as "conversation" in
all 13 places where it is used in the New Testament. We have
pointed out that this word had meant more than merely one's speech back
in 1611 when the KJV was written. Rather, it referred to one's
behavior, in which speech would be just a part of it. The
NASB translates "anastrophe" as "behavior" (6), "conduct" (4),
"manner of life" (2), and "way of life" (1). We can also note
from the context of 1 Peter 3:1,2, that "conversation" would mean more
than speech; for verse 2 (in the NASB) shows that the husband would be
won as he observes his wife's "chaste and respectful behavior."
The Greek word for "chaste," in this verse, is "hagnos." Thayer
shows that this term can pertain to "exciting reverence, and
venerable"; and also "pure from carnality, chaste, modest," "pure from
every fault, immaculate...." So "hagnos" indicates her purity of
life. The New International Version renders 1 Peter 3:2 as, "when
they see the purity and reverence of your lives."
Going along with this holy conduct is the way in which the woman is to
dress. Peter states in 1 Peter 3:3, "Whose adorning let it not be
that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or
of putting on of apparel." Plaiting the hair is the same as
braiding it by weaving together three or more locks; but is the Bible
really saying that hairstyles made in this way -- such as a "ponytail"
or "pigtail" or where the hair is braided and wrapped around the head
-- are forbidden? Going along with this is the wearing of
gold; but, again, does that mean that the wearing of any gold is
wrong? Though an ostentatious display of it would be, what about
an engagement ring or a wedding ring that has gold in it? If
Peter is literally meaning that hair is never to be braided and gold of
any amount is never to be worn, then what else is he saying in this
verse? He would then be also saying that apparel is not to be put
on. But, surely, he would not be teaching that. 1 Peter 3:3
needs to be seen in conjunction with 1 Peter 3:4: "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." So what we have here in 1 Peter 3:3,4 is an
"emphasis passage" -- or a "not-but" passage, as some would call it;
and which we also have another example of in John 6:27, where Jesus
states, "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food
which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give
you...." Jesus is not actually teaching that it is wrong for a
person to have a secular job; rather, He is putting the emphasis on
working for God -- for only that will lead to eternal life. So,
in a similar fashion, Peter is not saying that hair cannot ever be
braided, nor that any amount of gold can never be worn, nor that
clothes cannot be put on -- all of which are external things -- but,
rather, he is emphasizing something more important than all of
that. Peter is emphasizing the godly conduct of the woman -- that
inner quality that has even greater value. Hear this passage (1
Peter 3:3,4) in the NASB, which makes it even clearer: "Your adornment
must not be merely external -- braiding the hair, and wearing gold
jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the
heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is precious in the sight of God." The word "merely" is in
italics, so it wasn't in the original; but its use can be justified by
implication of the passage itself. For to leave out the idea of
"merely," one would have to conclude that a woman is not to even wear
dresses. So this passage actually shows that the wife is not to
be merely concerned with these external things of how she is going to
wear her hair or what she's going to put on; but, rather, she needs to
be even more concerned about developing that godly nature, which will
find great favor with the Lord. As Peter exhorts in 1 Peter 3:4,
the woman needs to concentrate more on that "hidden person of the
heart" -- to better develop for it that "imperishable quality of a
gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."
The term "gentle" or "meek" (KJV) in 1 Peter 3:4 is from the Greek word
"praus," which is also used in Matthew 5:5, where Jesus says, in giving
the Beatitudes during His sermon on the mount, "Blessed are the gentle
(meek, KJV), for they shall inherit the earth." When the Lord, in
Matthew 11:28-30, gives His invitation for all who are weary and
heavy-laden to come to Him for rest -- to take His yoke upon them and
learn from Him -- He shows that one of the reasons they can do that is
because He is "GENTLE and humble in heart"; and they would find rest
for their souls. Here the word "gentle" or "meek" (KJV) is from
the same Greek word. Bullinger defines this Greek word (praus) as
"meek, gentle, enduring all things with an even temper, tender, free
from haughty self-sufficiency, tender of spirit...." The word
"quiet," in this "quiet spirit" that the woman is to have, comes from
the Greek word "hesuchios," which is defined as "making no agitation or
disturbance, exciting no disturbance in others; tranquility arising
from within" (Bullinger). Thayer defines this Greek word as not
only "quiet," but also as "tranquil." It is interesting to note
that there is also another Greek word, translated as "quiet"; but
implies a "tranquility arising from without." But, as we saw,
with the one under consideration in 1 Peter 3:4, it pertains to a
"tranquility arising from within." This Greek word is used in
just one other passage, and translated as "quiet" in 1 Timothy 2:2,
where, in the context, Paul had urged the brethren to pray for all men
everywhere -- including kings and all who are in authority -- "so
that we may lead a tranquil and QUIET life in all godliness and
dignity."
Paul had also given a similar instruction, concerning women, to Timothy
in 1 Timothy 2:9,10: "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with
proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and
gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works,
as is proper for women making a claim to godliness."
Peter then refers to some examples of the past in 1 Peter 3:5,6.
These were "holy woman" who "hoped in God." Interestingly, the
Greek word for "hoped" (elpizo) is translated elsewhere in the NT as
"expect" and "expected." One's hope in the Lord is a sure
thing. This can also be seen in some other translations of this
same Greek word, such as with the phrases "fixed her hope" and "fixed
our hope." For instance, as Paul states in 1 Timothy 4:10, "For
it is for this we labor and strive, because we have FIXED OUR
HOPE on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially
of believers." (That phrase "fixed our hope" is from the same Greek
word, "elpizo," as in 1 Peter 3:5.) These holy women who hoped in
God also used to adorn themselves with that same kind of gentle and
quiet spirit, being submissive to their husbands. Peter states
that Sarah also showed submission to her husband Abraham by calling him
"lord," which can be seen in Genesis 18:12. Here, "lord" is from
the Hebrew word "Adon," which is translated in the NASB primarily as
"lord" 177 times -- and with a little "L" when pertaining to a man, and
even if that man were a king. It's next major rendering is as
"master" (91 times) -- and also with a little "M." And, thirdly,
as "master's" (the possessive, 24 times). "Adonay" is the Hebrew
word that is often translated as "Lord" -- with a capital "L" for
Deity. "Adonay" is in about 457 passages. (But the
word that is most often translated as Lord is "YHVH," the
"Tetragrammaton," which is said to be the personal name of God.
This Hebrew word is used more than 6,400 in the Old Testament and with
every letter translated in small caps. There are no vowels in
this word. Some have written it as "Jehovah," while others say
that "Yahweh" would be a more accurate rendering. But there are
also other ways it could be translated, too. So it is generally
translated as just "LORD" in the Old Testament and standing for Deity
-- and for Jesus, as well as for the Father.
After addressing the wives, Peter then gives instruction to the
husbands in 1 Peter 3:7: "You husbands in the same way, live with your
wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a
woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so
that your prayers will not be hindered." The KJV words the
beginning of this as, "Likewise, ye, husbands, dwell with them
according to knowledge...." The word "knowledge" comes from
the Greek word "gnosis," which Bullinger defines as "knowing, or
recognition, the knowledge or understanding of a thing, the insight
which manifests itself in the thorough understanding of the subjects
with which it meets and in the conduct determined thereby...."
The NIV translates this as, "Husbands, in the same way be considerate
as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect...."
Peter refers to the woman as being "weaker." Many versions
translate this as a "weaker vessel," indicating that she is weaker than
the man with regard to physical strength. This is generally
so. It doesn't mean she is spiritually, morally, or
intellectually weaker; for that would not always be the case in
comparing male and female. One translation renders the word
"weaker" as "a most delicate vessel."
Peter is writing to Christians; and, therefore, such was the case of
the husbands whom he is addressing. He points out to them that
their wives are "fellow heir[s] of the grace of life," so this
indicates that they are also Christians. For would not the phrase
"so that your prayers will not be hindered," imply that the husband
needs to maintain that right relationship with his wife in order that
they can truly engage in prayer together? Of course, if the
husband is treating his wife abusively or some other wrongful way that
would certainly hinder his own prayer life as well. For sin that
is not repented of can keep one from having an acceptable prayer
life. Compare, for example, Isaiah 59:1,2: "Behold, the LORD'S
hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That
it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you
so that He does not hear."
So as we consider these first seven verses of 1 Peter 3, we see that
the wife can have a very positive impact upon her husband by simply
setting forth the right kind of example. Her actions, her
demeanor, her way of life will speak for her, and that in itself will
encourage her husband toward submitting to the gospel. So it is
that spiritual, inner quality that is far more important than merely
the external -- and, therefore, is what the woman needs to be more
concerned about. And husbands, too, need to be concerned
with maintaining the right type of relationship with their wives -- so
that their prayers will not be hindered -- by treating their wives with
the proper honor and understanding. When husbands and wives
strive to do their parts in this, it not only results in a better
marriage; but it also is part of the way in which God is served, and
love to Him is
expressed.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel,
for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the
deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins
(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ
(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water
for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4;
Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith;
for,
if
not,
salvation
can
be
lost
(Heb.
10:36-39;
Rev.
2:10;
2
Pet.
2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn), Denham Springs, Louisiana
70726
Sunday services: 9:15 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 4 PM (worship)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
tedwards@onemain.com
tedwards1109@gmail.com
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/audioser.html (audio sermons)
Directions:
Take the Denham Springs exit (exit 10) off of I-12. At the end of
the exit ramp, turn north. Go about a stone's throw to Rushing
Road. (You'll see a Starbucks, Circle K, and two other gas
stations; with each on each corner.) Turn left on Rushing Road,
and go a little less than 0.3 of a mile. Hampton Inn will be on
the
right. We assemble in its "Meeting Room," which is very close to
the reception counter. Just walk pass the check-in counter; turn
right at the hall. The first and second doors on the left lead to
where we meet.