Marriage is the most sacred institution in the world. When a husband and wife are demonstrating the proper love and respect for each other, it is heaven on earth. Because it is such a vivid picture of the relationship between Christ and His people, it is the target of Satan’s concentrated attacks. We see this on large scale, as even the definition of marriage has been changed in our day to include unions that God calls abominations. We also see it on the personal level as marriages are routinely destroyed by the sin of one or both spouses.
Peter’s letter to the believers included instructions how to live a life of good works, even in the midst of suffering. The lost might oppose us, but they will be ashamed when they cannot find anything bad to say about how we live, and therefore God is glorified through our reputation of righteous living. 1 Peter 3:1-6 gives instructions to wives about their role in a God-honoring marriage. In verse seven, we read the instructions to husbands about their role in such a marriage.
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Why is there only one verse for men when the women got six? Maybe it is because men have shorter attention spans. Though the number of words used in the instruction to the men may be small, the expectations placed on husbands are huge. He is expected to always be studying his wife to know her better and better. He must treat his wife with tremendous respect, understanding that she is the weaker vessel. He should appreciate that they are equal in Christ, and that his fellowship with God can be helped or hindered by his relationship with his wife. By fulfilling his God-given responsibilities, the husband can direct the marriage to honor God. We will study this verse in two parts. In this first lesson, we will answer the question, “What does it mean to ‘dwell with [your wife] according to knowledge’?” There is the first and obvious meaning that husbands and wives are supposed to live together. But this verse is instructing men on how they are to live with their lives. Husbands should live with their wives in an intelligent, knowledgeable way. The husband must learn to understand his wife and get to know her better and better.
Peter’s letter to the believers included instructions how to live a life of good works, even in the midst of suffering. The lost might oppose us, but they will be ashamed when they cannot find anything bad to say about how we live, and therefore God is glorified through our reputation of righteous living. 1 Peter 3:1-6 gives instructions to wives about their role in a God-honoring marriage. In verse seven, we read the instructions to husbands about their role in such a marriage.
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Why is there only one verse for men when the women got six? Maybe it is because men have shorter attention spans. Though the number of words used in the instruction to the men may be small, the expectations placed on husbands are huge. He is expected to always be studying his wife to know her better and better. He must treat his wife with tremendous respect, understanding that she is the weaker vessel. He should appreciate that they are equal in Christ, and that his fellowship with God can be helped or hindered by his relationship with his wife. By fulfilling his God-given responsibilities, the husband can direct the marriage to honor God. We will study this verse in two parts. In this first lesson, we will answer the question, “What does it mean to ‘dwell with [your wife] according to knowledge’?” There is the first and obvious meaning that husbands and wives are supposed to live together. But this verse is instructing men on how they are to live with their lives. Husbands should live with their wives in an intelligent, knowledgeable way. The husband must learn to understand his wife and get to know her better and better.