This chapter is too long to quote, but we will try to give you a brief exposition of this very practical portion of Scripture, starting with a very short outline of the chapter:

The BELIEVER’S RELATIONSHIPS:

*As a WIFE in relation to her HUSBAND….verses 1-6

*As a HUSBAND in relation to his WIFE…..verse 7

*As a BROTHER/SISTER in relation to the FELLOWSHIP….verse 8

*As a SUFFERER in relation to PERSECUTORS….verses 9-22

Verses 1-6: In verse 1 we learn the key to the woman’s relation to her husband, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands” (NKJV). This has been God’s design since the creation of Adam and Eve, for the man has been given a place of “headship” over the “woman.” The Apostle Paul wrote of this in 1st 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.” This does NOT mean the man is superior to the woman; it simply means that God ordained the man to be the leader in the home. Even if he is unsaved, the woman should submit to his leadership and this submission may lead to his salvation as we see in the rest of verse 3 of our chapter, “that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.” Her godly conduct is described in verses 2-6.

Verse 7: We will quote this very important verse, “Husband, 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.” In Ephesians 5:25 husbands are exhorted to “love your wives” and here we also learn this involved RESPECTING THEM. We should always remember they are “the weaker vessel” (generally speaking they are weaker PHYSICALLY and perhaps EMOTIONALLY). They may very well be STRONGER though when it comes to INTELLECT and DEVOTION TO CHRIST. Both the husband and the wife (when both are saved) are EQUAL when it comes to being “HEIRS together of the grace of life”; that is, both have an EQUAL STANDING before God based on their faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.

Verse 8: I will also quote this verse, “Finally, all of you be of ONE MIND, having COMPASSION for one another; LOVE as brothers, be TENDERHEARTED, be COURTEOUS.” I would encourage you to compare this with Philippians 2:1-4 and Ephesians 4:1-3, 25-32. Meditate on these and allow the Holy Spirit to give you the power to put them into action (see Galatians 5:22-23).

Verses 9-22: When Peter wrote this letter believers were being severely PERSECUTED for their faith in Christ. In these verses he encourages them to not respond in kind, but rather:

*Be a BLESSING to those who persecute us BY DOING GOOD…verses 9-13

*Be willing to SUFFER FOR doing WHAT IS RIGHT …verses 14, 16-17

*Be READY TO WITNESS to those who persecute you…verse 15

*Be MINDFUL OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS, especially His SUFFERING FOR OUR SINS which resulted in bringing us to God…verse 18. Of course, He also SUFFERED greatly from men FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE on His way to the cross…see 1st Peter 2:21-23.

*Be MINDFUL OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION and ASCENSION TO GLORY…verses 18c, 21-22.  (384.3) (DO)