Interact Handout 67 - 1 Peter 3:1-9

Recap: The context for this passage about marriage in 1 Peter chapter 3 actually begins at verse 11 in the previous chapter. Peter is writing to believers in what is today northern Turkey. They are beginning to face hardships and persecution as believers and he wants to encourage them and teach them how to act in the face of difficulties.
His main point is for them to "keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable." The main points he brings up are to be under submission: to 1) governing authorities [who may be mistreating them], 2) slave masters [who may be causing them to suffer unjustly] and now in chapter 3, wives, likewise are to be subject to their own husbands even if some have not obeyed the gospel.

Understanding:
What is the main teaching of this section?
How would you describe "submission" in your own words?
Who are all believers ultimately submissive to and how is that illustrated in the Trinity?
Why do you think it is pointed out that the wife is to be subject to her OWN husband?
How can a believing wife gain her unbelieving husband to the Lord?
The conduct of the wife is to be "chaste" which means pure. How does this express itself?
What beautiful qualities, hidden in a woman, should she be clothed with?

Verse 7 says for the husband to "show (or give) honour to the woman as to the weaker vessel." (ESV). That verse can be translated literally as: "assign value to her as to the fragile [valuable] vase." In what ways can a husband so honour his wife? How does that make you feel, ladies?
What disrupts a couple's prayer life?

All believers are to have, among other things listed, a humble mind. Why do you think that this term is also translated as being courteous?

Reflection:
First Peter talks a lot about being in submission to certain authorities, even, or maybe especially, if they are not sympathetic to Christian beliefs. Why would God have us be under something like this? How does submission promote and expand the kingdom of God?
What does a pure (chaste) conduct look like? How can this manner of life win the unbelieving husband?
How can the inner, or hidden, beauty of the heart - having a meek [able to bear with hardships] and quiet ['unagitated,' or not lashing back at hurts] spirit be precious in the sight of God?
In what ways can the wife help her husband know her? If he is to understand her and learn all about her, what will be necessary on both parts of the marriage relationship for this to occur?
The Lord will discipline us for our better good, leading us into trials and hardships [Hebrews 12:10-17] . As Esau was originally entitled to inherit the blessing from his father, he did not receive it because his did not care about a disciplined life early on. Since we are called to bless others instead of pay them back wrongs done to us, how will this allow us to inherit a blessing?How can we not have a root of bitterness in the home?

Sources:: P G Apple Bible Notes 2003, Living Word Library