Home, The Role of the Wife

1 Peter 3:1-2

Overview of the Book of 1 Peter

  • Three Major Divisions:
    • Doctrine of Salvation (1 Peter 1): Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled
    • Doctrine of Submission (1 Peter 2:11-3:12)
    • Doctrine of Suffering (1 Peter 3:13-end)

Detailed Breakdown of 1 Peter

  1. Doctrine of Submission:
    • 1 Peter 2:11-3:12
      • Submission in various areas:
        1. Government: Subject to the powers that be
        2. Business Realm: Employer-employee relationship
        3. Family/Domestic Life: Subjection in the household
      • 1 Peter 3:1-7: Specific instructions to wives on submission
  2. Characteristics of a Submissive Wife:
    • Attitude of Submission: Continuous and voluntary
    • Conduct and Adornment:
      • Inner beauty over outer appearance
      • Spirit-controlled behavior

Key Scriptural References and Their Application

  • Ephesians 5:18-21: Mutual submission in the fear of Christ
  • Philippians 2:1-8: Christ's example of humility and submission
  • Acts 9:10-17: Ananias’s submission to God’s command regarding Saul
  • Genesis 18:10-15: Sarah’s reference to Abraham as “my lord”

Principles of Submission

  1. Treatment vs. Temperament:
    • Spiritual test is in the reaction, not action
    • 1 Peter 2:21-23: Christ’s example of non-retaliation
  2. Third Party to Every Action:
    • Committing oneself to God’s righteous judgment
  3. Ultimate Goal of Submission:
    • Worthwhile results of enduring difficult circumstances through God’s grace

Practical Application

  • Wives Winning Husbands: Through behavior, not words
    • Example of a woman using practical acts of love to influence her husband
  • Illustrations:
    • Acts 9: Ananias’s obedience to God
    • Genesis 18: Sarah’s submission despite her initial disbelief

Conclusion

  • Role of Women in Contemporary Society:
    • True fulfillment in doing God’s will
  • Transformation by the Spirit:
    • Inner renewal leading to outward beauty
  • Husbands’ Responsibilities:
    • 1 Peter 3:7: Living with wives according to knowledge, giving honor, and being heirs together of the grace of life

Final Prayer

  • Request for God's Truth: To settle in hearts and minds, and bear fruit in families

*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.

About the Contributors

Howard G. Hendricks

Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.

His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”