1 Peter 3

Hello again,

This week's study is in 1 Peter 3. So far I have been able to stick with the acronym 'HOPES' for this book. By the way, I took that from some ideas that a few commentators offered on the main overall theme for the book. If I find a better word (with 5 letters) for the acronym, we'll have some serious editing.

But, for now, chapter 3 builds on the 'P' of HOPES, and the outline theme is Pure Conduct and Prepared to Proclaim.

The memory passage (for now) is:
1 Peter 3:1,2,7,15-16 (ESV)
¹ Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives— ² when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
⁷ Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
¹⁵ but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; ¹⁶ yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Again, as always, I had trouble narrowing down the passage. There are always more verses to memorize that there is time in which to memorize. I'm trying to stick with the purpose of this study and keep the memory passages to those verses that most represent the ideas in the chapter.

The Pure Conduct Peter writes about is between husbands and wives. Wives are to subject themselves to their own husband even if he is not a Christ-follower. If he indeed isn't, the testimony with the most value is respectful pure conduct toward him. Wives aren't to focus on the external adornments but the condition of their heart. This passage is not a prohibition against jewelry and hair-braids, but a warning against making that the focus. Like the holy women of old, who serve as an example, maintain a godly wife-hood even with a non-believing husband.

Husbands are given a separate command; live with your wives in an understanding way and honor them as the weaker vessel. We are heirs with them in Christ, and if we do not love them as Christ loves the church, it has an effect on our prayers. Peter doesn't expound on what hindered prayers look like, but the principle is clear. If you are treating your wife the wrong way, you are directly affecting your relationship to God.

The second, and longer, section I have titled Prepared to Proclaim. It includes how to be prepared and what to proclaim. First we see a list of behavioral instructions; have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, tender heart, humble mind, don't repay evil with evil or reviling with reviling, bless others, keep your tongue from deceit, turn away from evil, do good, speak and pursue peace, be zealous for good, and have no fear if you are suffering for righteousness' sake. (8-13) Being prepared to make a defense (15) begins by living a godly and righteous life. Why else would anyone ask you for a reason for the hope you have? If your life does not reflect the hope you have, the question will not come. By following Christ and obeying all that He commanded we live out the hope He gives us. Our lives should be in constant readiness to proclaim the Gospel as a result of the hope of the Gospel being constantly displayed in our lives.

But when that opportunity comes (which it should if we are really living the life of Christ) we are to speak the truth in love, with gentleness and respect. The delivery, as well as the content, must be above reproach so that any slander or accusation will be put to shame (16). While there may be injustice and suffering, it is better to suffer for Christ than to suffer for sin. Christ's suffering is our example. He, the righteous one, suffered once that He might bring us to God.

Verses 19-21 have had many different interpretations. Without going in to great detail, this is the most accepted interpretation as well as I can understand it. Peter is talking about Christ, in the spirit, proclaiming God through Noah to the people who were destroyed in the flood. They were saved from the water (not by the water) as a symbol of the way we are saved from sin by Christ. Baptism is a symbol of this saving act, but not the saving act itself.

We have seen Christ's life (16), His death (18), His resurrection (21), and now His ascension (22). He is in heaven, at the right hand of God; and He is Lord.

How does this affect my worship?
I'm struck by how my treatment of my wife can affect my prayers. It does not expound on that in this passage, but it would naturally follow that my worship would be affected also. I don't think it is humanly possible to walk in righteousness and humility with God and walk in wickedness and pride with people. How I treat my wife affects my relationship with God, of which worship is a large component. How I treat other people affects my relationship with God. How I treat myself affects my relationship with God. I am not truly fulfilling the first great commandment if I ignore the second great commandment.

How does this affect my discipleship?
I have to model 'how it can be different'. Following Christ is different that following the world. Loving my wife the way He loves the church is different from the world. The way of the world leads to destruction, the way of Christ leads to eternal life. I must play out His way in my life so that anyone I dare disciple can see how 'it can be different'. Somehow I must live out 'follow me as I follow Him' (1 Cor 11:1)

Blessings,

Ethan