Lesson 600

(Lesson 600)(04-09-13) 1 Peter 3:1-6, "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; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 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. 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: 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."

Sadly, today's lesson is despised by many women. They, wrongly, take it as a belittling of their intellectual and spiritual stature in comparison to men. Nothing, in fact, could be further from the truth. There is nothing within this text that takes one whit of dignity, or individual humanity, away from a Christian woman. Peter indeed tells women how they are to "subject" themselves to their husbands, however, he goes on to establish that, in this particular reference to the husband, the woman is apparently coupled to an unbeliever, as evidenced by the following statement, "if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; ". This clearly indicates that a strong Christian wife might convert an unbelieving husband through their "conversation", outside the parameters of the Church.

This text does, in fact, designate the husband alone as the head of the Christian family. In a family that is not sanctioned, it makes no difference who bears the responsibility of leadership. There is not, however, scriptural support for those who would contend that a wife should hold a position of authority over the husband, either in day to day practice, or within the Church.

In bible history, there have been many very strong and influential women, just as there are today.

Had it not been for the faithfully strong will and hand of my mother, I have no idea where my life would be.~