LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for October 7: Living in relationships

Humans were created for relationships. The opening chapters of the Bible describe the creation of humans in highly relational terms.

We were created to be in relationship with God as the earthly bearers of God’s image. We were created to be in relationship with the rest of the physical creation having been created of the dust of the ground with the task of tending the ground. And we were created to be in relationship with other humans as pictured by the creation of family.

It is these interpersonal relationships that often can be the source of both great fulfillment and great frustration. The frustration results primarily from our self-centered view of our role in the relationship and our need to compete.

Submission to one another is certainly not a popular idea today, but it is consistently taught throughout the Bible. Submission does not mean we deny our self-worth or lose our identity. It is simply an act of our will through which we seek to live out the Golden Rule and “consider one another as more important” than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).

Having discussed our relationship with those in authority over us, Peter turns to show how we are to submit to one another in our daily close personal relationships.

Wives (1 Peter 3:1-6)

Many people today seem to think Christianity and the Bible subjugate women to the authority of men. While it is true the society in which the Bible was written was largely patriarchal, the Bible, and particularly the ministry of Jesus, was countercultural in elevating the status of women to that of equality with men.

In Genesis 2, the initial response of Adam at seeing Eve for the first time is a statement of recognition of her place as a fully equal and complementary partner (v. 23). During the New Testament period, it was expected a woman would practice the religion of her father or husband. When Christianity began, many women found the freedom to independently choose to follow Jesus.

And one cannot honestly read the Gospels without seeing the important role women had in the ministry of Jesus and the ways Jesus ministered to women in ways that sought to raise them above their legal status (for example Luke 8:1-3 and John 8:1-11).

Yet many still point to verses like 1 Peter 3:1 as evidence the Bible prescribes female subjugation. It should be noted, however, that Peter begins this verse with “in the same way” thus pointing to the fact that a wife’s submission to her husband is modeled on Jesus’ submission to the Father and is related to our submission to each other. In verse 6, Peter uses Sarah as a model of submission. Yet reading the stories in Genesis shows Sarah telling Abraham what to do with Hagar. Thus submission does not mean weak, cowering, absolute obedience, but the ascribing of honor through a gentle quiet spirit. It is simply recognizing that while husbands and wives are equal, they fulfill different roles within the relationship.

In addition, verses 3-4 do not condemn the wearing of cosmetics or jewelry. The focus is on the intent of the heart. Prior to becoming a believer, such outward accessories were used to influence men through enticing or tempting. Now the focus of the wives as believers should be to influence through focusing on inner beauty.

Husbands (1 Peter 3:7)

While Peter does not use the word “submit” when addressing husbands, the idea clearly is present. First, notice that Peter again says “in the same way,” thus stating that submission is to be mutual.

Second, in order for a husband to “be considerate” and “treat them with respect,” he will be required to submit his will and selfish desires to demonstrate self-sacrificial love. Such self-sacrifice is needed in order to protect her. When Peter refers to wives as the “weaker vessel,” he refers simply to physical strength and not any mental or spiritual inferiority.

Third, Peter points out that women are indeed co-heirs of God’s grace. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this point when he states that in Christ all are equal regardless of race, social standing or gender (Galatians 3:27-29). Genesis 1:27 states that God created male and female in God’s image and thus both genders play an equal part in reflecting that image. Peter goes on to state that for men, failure to take on this submissive mindset toward one’s wife will hinder one’s prayers.
   
Everyone (1 Peter 3:8-12)

While some may find such submissive attitudes toward family members easy, Peter extends this to all of our relationships within the church. Again, although he does not specifically use the word “submit,” the idea clearly is there as we are called to exercise humility in seeking to live in harmony with one another. He seems to be calling believers to do what is necessary to live in unity of purpose through loving one another and refusing to repay evil for evil.

This does not mean that there should necessarily always be uniformity of belief on every point, but in all things a unity of purpose through our diversity should be what the world most sees. When the world looks at the church, it should not see people finding new ways to divide or exclude, but should see believers setting aside their own agendas in loving submission to one another.

Jesus was not giving us a lofty ideal when he told us the second greatest commandment was to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

From Genesis to Revelation, one of the most consistent and frequently referred to teachings of the Bible is God’s concern for how humans treat each other. In all of those relationships, love is to be the overriding characteristic, and the key is mutual submission.