1 Peter 3:1-2 and 7 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives when they see the purity and reverence of your lives….Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

I am intrigued by the fact that the Apostle Peter’s treatment of this subject is a continuation of his teachings on submission to rulers and masters in Chapter 2. Verse 13 of Chapter 2 opens with: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men….” So clearly the teachings in Chapter 3 are addressed to wives and husbands who are believers as they are meant to be embraced “for the Lord’s sake”. How else do you begin to appropriate any of this teaching to day to day living in the 21^st century? It is the age of confusion and relativity with no moral compass.

The believer, however, has the word of God and on the subject of marriage it speaks clearly. I know this passage makes you grimace with discomfort. After all, who talks about submission in marriage in this day and age? (I was married for just over 38 years, so I’m not being flippant. My story is told in my book “Listening to God will transform you”). For those of you who have successful, time-tested marriages you know that Peter is right and I salute you. Somewhere along the line, you both learned that the dynamic which has under-pinned your marriage is love for God first, love and respect for each other and desiring the good of your partner above your own. Of course you each threw tantrums from time to time, but you eventually resolved them “for the Lord’s sake”. Why? Because he is your Master! Furthermore, towards the end of Chapter 2, Peter reminds us that Christ is our ultimate example of submission.