Sarah Called Him Lord (1 Pet. 3:1-17)

[Sung Psalm: 128]

Peter commands wives to "be subject to your own husbands."

Submission is a difficult subject in our day. Plainly we live in a very different culture than the apostles did. But the point of what Peter is saying is the same in every time and place.

What is submission? Peter enjoins submission three times in this section (2:13-3:6). Christians are to be subject to the emperor and other rulers. Slaves are to be subject to their masters. Wives are to be subject to their husbands. And later, he will say that the younger in the church should be subject to the elders (5:5)

Does submission mean the same thing in all four cases? In one sense, yes.

The word "likewise" suggests that there is a fundamental similarity between them. All were intended by God to be good:

• The state was intended by God to praise the good and punish the wicked.

• The master/servant relation was intended to be good, as the master is to reflect the kindness of God in his treatment of his servants.

• The marriage relation was intended to reflect the love of God for his people.

• And in the church, elders are called to shepherd the flock in the way of Christ.

But all four have been perverted by sin: despotism and tyranny in the state; cruelty and oppression in master/servant relations; abuse and infidelity in marriage; domineering in the church.

Peter is saying that the Christian must remember the purpose of these various institutions, and live according to that purpose – even when others forget. Because in each of these arenas, God is still in control. And those who trust in him have the confidence that he will turn all things to his glory and our good...