Please turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Peter chapter 3:

1 Peter 3:1-7 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 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; 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. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

It seems as if America is in the deepest period of “confusion” I have ever seen. Those who should know better, college professors and medical professionals are now saying “sex is something assigned at birth”. This is not true. As John Stonestreet notes from the Colson Center:

“A person’s sex is acknowledged, not assigned. There are many things that doctors learn about a baby when it’s born, like height, weight, and blood type. Those things aren’t assigned. They’re acknowledged. … Sex is determined by our reproductive system. In most cases, humans are born with two sex chromosomes, either x/x {female} or x/y {male}. … For human reproduction to happen, contributions from both kinds of reproductive systems are required. The differences between males and females go beyond our reproductive systems. Men and women differ in how their brains operate, how they solve problems, what diseases they are susceptible to, and so much more. … disorders of sexual development don’t create new categories of sex. … The disorder that occurs when a person’s reproductive system doesn’t develop neatly along a male or female path is called “intersex.” If a person is intersex that does not mean that he or she is not male or female. Nor does it mean that there are additional categories of sex other than male and female. Some people are born without limbs. Others are born blind. Disorders of sexual development are not evidence of a new category of sex any more than disorders of the cardiac or respiratory systems are evidence of new kinds of hearts or lungs.”

This is what we used to call common sense. We don’t have common sense anymore, but confusion. This is not from God. The Bible is very clear that:

1 Corinthians 14:33 … God is not the author of confusion, but of peace ..

Where does confusion come from if not from God? It comes from the lost. When a person rejects the God Who wrote our Bible for a god of their own making, they enter into confusion. The Bible says (Isaiah 41:29) “their molten images are wind and CONFUSION”, and “they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols” (Isaiah 45:16). The Prophet said:

Jeremiah 3:25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.

Illustrate The Foundation Matters: When you depart from God you move into madness. I find it interesting that today, Sunday September 10, 2023 is “World Suicide Prevention Day”. Suicide, often called “Deaths Of Despair” have been rising. In 2000 there were around 23 deaths of despair per 100,000 people. In 2022 there was a record high 49,369 suicide deaths, and since 2011 nearly 540,000 people have been lost to suicide. In 2021 there were 43,340 residents in Columbia, TN, and 104,760 residents in Maury County. Nationwide there are more suicides than there are residents in Columbia, five times more than in our Maury County.

What in the world is happening? CONFUSION.

We need to get back to God. We need to get back to the Bible! If the foundation of our truth is rotted, our lives will be confusion and rot. We need to get back to Jesus.

A Good Foundation Begins With A Good Marriage

God instituted marriage in the Garden of Eden. It is through marriage that God designed our species to replicate. Man was FIRST created, made from the dust of the ground:

Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God {Yᵊhōvâ ‘ĕlōhîm} formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

If you’ve ever walked through your house and saw DUST on an object, guess what? THAT’S YOU. We shed skin cells, which are DUST. God made us of DUST. Then after God made MAN – a MALE – He made the FEMALE. How did He make the female?

Genesis 2:21-22 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Now why didn’t God make woman – a FEMALE – out of dust as He did the man? Because God was showing an order in the family. God could have just as easily made the woman of dust as He made the man of dust. But He made the woman from a RIB taken from MAN who was made from DUST. Now, did this make the woman any less valuable than the man? Absolutely not! If you look in:

Genesis 1:27-30 (ESV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you {you BOTH} every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You {you BOTH} shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

God made both MALE and FEMALE in His image and in His likeness. God “BLESSED THEM”. Not just HIM, but THEM. God told THEM – the male and female – to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion”. Man cannot “Be fruitful” without the woman. Woman cannot “multiply and fill the earth” without the man. Together as a family they were to “subdue” and “have dominion” over the earth, which means that the male and female in marriage were to rule the earth as representatives and stewards of God the Creator.

Jesus said of marriage,

Matthew 19:4-6 (ESV) … “Have you not read that He {Yᵊhōvâ ‘ĕlōhîm} who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Now, within this “one flesh” arrangement where each person is equally valuable, which leads the unit? Both are important. But the Bible makes it clear that the male leads the marriage. This is why God made man of DUST, but woman from Adam’s RIB. The woman is to be cherished, loved, and protected. The woman is to have input. She is NOT second class, no more than the man’s right arm is second class. The woman is valuable.

This Is Why Peter Addresses The Woman First

1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives

When we read these words, modern American philosophy has taught us to read:

ye wives, be in subjection
to your own husbands

and be offended at it. What do you mean the “WIFE” is to “BE IN SUBJECTION TO HER OWN HUSBAND”? That word “SUBJECTION” is a dirty word, highly politically incorrect in American society today. We don’t want to hear about “SUBJECTION”. We don’t want to have “SUBJECTION” in our religion, “SUBJECTION” in our politics, “SUBJECTION” in our relationships, “SUBJECTION” in our workplace. Everybody wants to be the BOSS. Heck with “SUBJECTION”. That’s archaic thought!

But rather than read “ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands”, let’s read that word we so easily skipped over.

“Likewise”

Word Study: This is the Greek homoiōs which means “in the same way”. In the “same way” as what? You have to go back to the previous chapter.

1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

There was a time when “all we like SHEEP have GONE ASTRAY – we all turned TO OUR OWN WAY” (Isaiah 53:6). We departed from God, doing our own thing. We would NOT SUBMIT to Him Who loved us. And yet, “the LORD laid on Jesus the INIQUITY of us all”.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

We who are Christians “were as sheep going astray”. We were going our own way. But one day we heard the Gospel of salvation. The Gospel of salvation requires that WE SUBMIT TO GOD. What is the Gospel that was preached in the early Church?

Matthew 3:2 (AP) … REPENT, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand ..

Matthew 4:17 (AP) … Jesus preached, REPENT, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand …

Matthew 9:13 (AP) … I did not come to call the righteous, but SINNERS TO REPENT .

Mark 1:15 (AP) … The Kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT and believe the Gospel …

Mark 6:12 … (AP) The Disciples of Christ went out and preached that ALL SHOULD REPENT …

Acts 2:38 (AP) … Peter said to the crowd, REPENT, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit …

2 Corinthians 7:10 (AP) For godly sorrow brings about REPENTANCE to salvation …

Word Study: Salvation will not come to a person who does not REPENT (the Greek metanoeō, which means “to change one’s mind for the better”) and come to Jesus as the “Shepherd and Bishop of your souls”. The “SHEPHERD” is the boss of the sheep. The “BISHOP” (Greek episkopos) is the “OVERSEER” or “SUPERINTENDENT” of your soul.

To be saved, you must SUBMIT to Jesus. When you SUBMIT to Jesus, your sins are covered by His work for you on the Cross. When you SUBMIT to Jesus you become a son of God and a child of God. Positionally, you become the property of God.

If you have not submitted to God, surrendering
your soul to Him, you are not saved.

But the “LIKEWISE” (homoiōs, “in the same way”) does not just refer to the Christian, but also to the Christ. Listen Beloved:

1 Peter 2:21-24 Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

We are saved by submitting ourselves to Jesus.
Jesus saved us by submitting Himself to the Cross.

Women Have A Massive Amount Of Control
Over Their Own Husbands

1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Word Study: The words translated “be in subjection” is the Greek hypotassō, which means “to be subject to, submit ones self to, to follow the leadership of or be under the direction of”. The woman should follow the leadership of her husband insofar as his leadership does not violate her covenant with God. The Bible commands our allegiance to be first and foremost to our Lord Jesus. We are commanded to “not walk as unbelievers walk, in the emptiness of their own minds” (Ephesians 4:17, AP). No Christian is to give themselves over to sexual sin, uncleanness, or greed (Ephesians 4:19). As Christians we are to be like Jesus is, “created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24, AP). We as Christians are told:

Ephesians 5:1-4 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Wives are not to submit to sinful suggestions by their lost husbands, but are to model Christ while walking in loving submission to “their own husbands”. I have talked with several female believers in this Church who had unbelieving husbands. One lady told me she lived for the Lord, and every Sunday asked if her husband would come with her to Church. Week after week he would say no. But then one day he surprised her. He said, “Yes”, and went to Church with her. His life turned to Jesus not long after that. We are told:

if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives

Word Study: “conversation” is the Greek anastrophē, which means “manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment”. If the wife was won to the Gospel by the preaching of the Word of God, but the husband will not hear that Word, he MAY see the lifestyle of the wife and be led to the Lord by that lifestyle.

1 Peter 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Word Study: “chaste conversation” is the Greek hagnos anastrophē, which means “pure or clean manner of life, the way you live for Jesus”. When you were saved God the Holy Spirit came to indwell you (John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Titus 3:5). You are “partakers of the Divine Nature” (2 Peter 1:4), just as men are who are saved. The Apostle goes on to say:

1 Peter 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 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.

There’s a commercial on television that says, “Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline”. The saved wife who loves her husband may use Maybelline, makeup, or some other outward adornment. There’s nothing wrong with that. But your outward adornment should not just be cosmetic. What should always be there – visible outwardly whether you are male or female – is “the hidden man of the heart” shining outward in all that you do. That inner Spirit is “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit”. That’s the opposite of a nag. The Bible says:

Proverbs 25:24 (AMP) It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather] Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.

Nagging a man does no good. Living for Jesus does great good. Peter himself had a wife, contrary to what the Catholics believe. When Jesus went to Simon Peter’s home we read:

Luke 4:38-39 (ESV) {Jesus} arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they {Simon and his wife} appealed to {Jesus} on her behalf. 39 And {Jesus} stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them..

In this text you see SUBMISSION all around. Simon’s Mother-in-law was sick. Simon and his wife asked Jesus to heal her, and our Lord SUBMITTED to their request. He healed the Mother-in-law. After that, she rose up and “began to serve them”. Submission. It is not a bad word!

1 Peter 3:5-6 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement {ptoēsis, to be terrified}.

The Bible encourages the wives to “do good, and do not fear anything that is frightening”. If wives with unsaved husbands will keep their eyes on Jesus, living submitted to Christ as all Christians should do, they will have a positive impact on their husbands.

But what about the husbands? Is there a word of God to saved husbands?

Don’t Miss The “Likewise” Again!

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Word Study: Once more we see the word “LIKEWISE”, the Greek homoiōs, which means“in the same way”). We’ve been talking about SUBMISSION throughout this study. Now the husband is to submit to the wife. What is the husband to submit? The Apostle said in another place:

Ephesians 5:25-28 (ESV) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Husbands are to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”. We are to emulate Christ. We are to lay our lives down for our wives to protect and save them. We are to be their buffer against the evils of this world. The Bible tells us, “husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself”.

A man who abuses or neglects his wife has no respect for his own life, much less hers.

give honor unto the wife, as unto
the weaker vessel

The woman IS the weaker vessel. The woman has neither the bulk of bone nor of muscle that the man has – not naturally, anyway. God did this because the man was made to protect the Rib, the weaker vessel. We are called of God to “givE honor unto the wife”. Though the vessel may be weaker, it is not cheap nor useless.

The Chinese Qianlong vase is made of porcelain. It is small – just 16 inches tall. This fragile easily broken vase was recently sold at auction for $53 MILLION.

Only the woman, the female, has the ability to bring forth life. Men do not have that ability. The husband and wife are “heirs together of the grace of life”. We are both headed toward glory, toward eternity with Jesus. That woman you married is precious in the eyes of Christ, and should be precious in your eyes as well. My commentary notes:

“… what proclaims God’s grace is our conduct (2:19-20). The Christian’s conduct in trying and difficult circumstances manifests God’s grace in a human life. The submissive conduct of servants whose masters are persecuting them manifests God’s grace. The submissive conduct of wives … manifests grace. The submissive conduct of husbands … manifests grace. The husband demonstrates his submission to God by treating his wife as a fellow heir of God’s grace (3:7).”

Beloved, if we would fix America, we must get back to the Bible. We must stop listening to woke philosophy and silliness. We must heed the Lord our God, submitting our lives to Him.

There will come a day when we will all stand before our God, to be judged and determined where our final destination will be. Will yours be with Jesus in Heaven, or in hell with Satan? The choice is going to be settled in this life, based on how you submitted to the authority of Christ and God’s Word. May God the Holy Spirit lead you to salvation through faith in Christ this very day.