First Epistle of Peter
EXHORTATIONS TO HUSBANDS
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:7 (KJV)
The inspired apostle now turns from writing to suffering servant slaves and wives with unsaved husbands to say just a few words to the saved husbands. Perhaps almost all of these had saved wives, because he talks of them as being "heirs together of the grace of life".
"Likewise ye husbands"
This word "likewise" tells us that, although he has six verses of exhortation for wives, he also has some exhortations for husbands. Not all duties are on the part of the wife and all blessings on the side of the husband. There are duties for him to perform, too. The introduction of Christianity brought the liberation of wives. Before then, they were considered as so much chattel for a man to do with as he pleased. Christianity taught that they were to be considered, honored and loved. This was a new thing in the world.
"dwell with them according to knowledge"
Perhaps there has ever been a time when Biblical marriage was held more lightly then today. Folks seem to marry with the thought, "We'll try it for a little while. If it does not go well we will just get a divorce," and today divorce is made easy in our court systems. Marriage should be held sacred. We read, "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder". Marriage should be "until death us do part".
There is a thought today that marriage was instituted to satisfy sexual passions. But the prime reason is to perpetuate the human race. While some cannot have children, still, for most children should be expected and desired. A home is really empty without them. Why would anyone desire to marry a lady whom he would not like to be the mother of his children? Likewise, a lady should not desire to marry a man who would not make a good father. It is needless to say that no Christian should marry one who is not saved. In nearly every case, to do so means trouble in the flesh.
"according to knowledge"
Or in a sensible way. We would perhaps say, "Dwell with them according to common sense". Some husbands do not use good sense when handling their wives. They demand everything and give nothing. Some abuse their wives in the matter of having their own passions satisfied while at the same time demand that there be no children. Some women ruin their health in this effort to satisfy a husband.
Someone once said something like this to ex-president Theodore Roosevelt, "Well, I am glad we are out of the dark ages". He replied, "We are in the dark ages. There are millions of unborn babies murdered in the U.S.A. every year." If that was so then, it is certainly no better today.
A Christian father or mother should not be sad because of a soon to come baby. Maybe that little baby you did not want will grow up to be a might man of God, teaching many about Jesus.
A husband should use common sense in other matters, too. For instance, he should not expect his wife to work like a pack horse night and day. He should not expect everything to be just right all the time. He should not expect her to be on the job every minute. He should be kind, considerate and loving. If she is over-loaded with work or not feeling too well, he should be willing to pitch in and help or otherwise provide help for her. It is not a disgrace for a man to do the washing or take care of the baby, even though some may think so. Sometimes it is just common sense. Today there are classes for prospective fathers. It would not hurt to have some for prospective husbands, too.
The woman is also generally weaker physically and for that reason should be treated gently. Remember "might should not be right in the home". Although the wife may be weaker in these ways, it does not necessarily follow that she is weaker mentally or spiritually. Usually, she is stronger in these ways.
"as being heirs together of the grace of life"
There is a difference between men and women in the church. Likewise, there is a difference in the home. But in Christ Jesus "there is neither male nor female" (Gal. 3:28).
As a rule in Peter's day, women were not highly thought of. Even today in some parts of the world, women are lowly esteemed. If a woman in some countries has nothing but girl babies, she is despised as a wife, and may even be divorced.
But in Christianity, she is as much "an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ" as is her husband. Consider the expression, "the grace of life". None of us deserve this life we have in Christ, but a wife can have this as well as the husband. Possibly more women are saved than men because so many men let the women lead the religion for their whole family.
"that your prayers be not hindered"
This presupposes prayer on the part of both husband and wife. Blessed is that home where the husband and wife bow the knee together. Children in such a home will have difficulty getting away from the Lord. It is wise for a young man to pick a mate whom he knows will be a prayer partner. Just being sure the proposed mate is a child of God may not be enough. There are carnal Christians in this world, too.
But prayers can be hindered. Sin will do it. Perhaps the apostle is thinking especially of sexual sins and they surely will put a cloud between the Christian and his Lord. Other sins will hinder, too. Disunity or troubles of any kind will hinder prayers. In some homes there is quarreling and mean things are said. Such should not be in the Christian's home. We read in 1 Timothy 2:8, "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
