1 Peter 3:1-2

In 1 Peter 3:1-2 he dives into the topic of marriage. This is certainly an area that has changed over the years, and some will say that Peter’s teaching here is outdated and obsolete. The word submission carries a lot of bad connotations today. Many dismiss it completely. But God had a design for the world, marriages and families that is still valid today. And contrary to what the world says, when we line up with God’s plan for this planet, things work a lot better. When we take things into our own hands, and follow our own or the worlds design, things just don’t go as well. God’s Word is always true, even when we don’t like it.

So Peter begins his teaching telling us that the godly wife will be submissive to her husband. This submission isn’t a reward for the husband’s good behavior; it is the proper order of the home, God commands it. “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.” Proper submission in the home follows the same principles of submission as towards government or our employers. It is submission not only of the actions, but also of the heart.

Submission to authority can be totally consistent with equality in importance, dignity, and honor. Jesus was subject to both His parents and to God the Father but was not lower than either of them. Grudem writes “Thus the command to wives to be subject to their husbands should never be taken to imply inferior personhood or spirituality, or lesser importance.” Of course, submission in marriage follows the same principles as submission in other spheres. We submit to God appointed authority as our obligation before God, unless that authority directs us to sin. In that case it is right to obey God rather than men.

Peter carefully observed that wives are called to submit to their own husbands and not to all men in a general sense. Male headship is God’s commanded principle for the home and the church, not for society in general.

The principle of submission is seen in many ways in the New Testament:

• Jesus submitted to His parents (Luke 2:51).
• Demons submitted to the disciples (Luke 10:17).
• Citizens should submit to government authority (Romans 13:1 and 5, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13).
• The universe will submit to Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:27 and Ephesians 1:22).
• Unseen spiritual beings submit to Jesus (1 Peter 3:22).
• Christians should submit to their church leaders (1 Corinthians 16:15-16 and 1 Peter 5:5).
• Wives should submit to husbands (Colossians 3:18, Titus 2:5, 1 Peter 3:5, and Ephesians 5:22-24).
• The church should submit to Jesus (Ephesians 5:24).
• Servants should submit to masters (Titus 2:9, 1 Peter 2:18).
• Christians should submit to God (Hebrews 12:9, James 4:7).

There must be a servant-like love and attitude on the part of those in positions of authority which does not eliminate the concept of God’s order of authority and the corresponding submission we are called to in many areas of our lives.

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

1 Peter 2:15-19

In 1 Peter 2:15-19 he encourages Christ Followers to let our conduct set the example and ultimately defend the Gospel. He knew that those who never read the Bible will read our lives, so it is by doing good that we put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” God’s will is that we submit to authority and set that as an example for others to see. God uses governing authorities as a check upon man’s sinful desires and tendencies. Governments are a useful tool in resisting the effects of man’s fallen nature.

So while we have freedom in Christ, we are warned against taking the liberty we have in Jesus as an excuse for sin. Instead we should use our liberty in Jesus to show the kind of love and respect that Peter calls for. “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” Peter gives us four ways we can live out our lives in a way pleasing to God:

• “Honor everyone.
• Love the brotherhood.
• Fear God.
• Honor the emperor.”

That’s a summary of how we can live as a servant of God.

Speaking of servants, Peter shifts to those who are under authority of their master. The command to submit to masters isn’t just to those who work for masters that are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. If we must endure hardship because of our Christian standards, it is then commendable before God. “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” The verse specifically mentions “slaves” in the context of the Roman world, it is generally interpreted to provide guidance for any kind of submission to authority figures.

We are told to endure hardship even when we are doing good work. Jesus is the model for suffering. “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.” We are to show patience and integrity even in unfair situations. Peter emphasizes submitting with respect, even to difficult superiors. This translates well to respecting your boss or employer, even if you disagree with them. But it’s important to note that the passage doesn’t justify abuse or exploitation. If an employer asks you to do something unethical or illegal, you should follow your conscience and seek guidance from relevant authorities.

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

1 Timothy 5:1-3

In 1 Timothy 5:1-3 Paul reminds Timothy that in general, older men are not to be rebuked. He should encourage them but treat them with respect as a father who presumably will have wisdom from their years. “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” As a young pastor, or any young person, how one interacts with older people certainly has impact. In society today, it seems to me that respect for older people is declining. Guzik explains “The ancient Greek verb for rebuke is not the normal word for “rebuke” in the New Testament. This is the only place this word is used, and it means literally “to strike at.” Timothy was told to not attack older men with words, but to treat them with respect – as he would treat the younger men with respect as brothers.”

Paul instructs Timothy to relate to younger men as if they were brothers – men who would be partners and friends in his work of the ministry. He asks Timothy to treat older women as mothers with the respect and honor due their age. He likely will have to put up with some mothering from these older women and needs to receive it and recognize it as the gift it is intended. And for younger women, the instruction is to treat them as sisters. His interaction with them needs to be always pure and above reproach. As a godly man and minister, he needs to not allow his place of authority put him in a position where he makes poor choices.

Paul calls out the need to minister to widows. He makes a distinction between them though. “Honor widows who are truly widows.” In the days the New Testament was written, there was no social assistance system from the government. In that day there was one especially vulnerable class: elderly widows, who were usually without support from husbands or grown children, and without means to adequately support themselves. These are those who Paul designates as truly widows. The principles revealed here are extremely relevant today, when many look to the local congregation as a place where the poor and needy should be able to come for financial help.

Most of us have stories about strangers who contact the church or walk up to them on the street and ask for some kind of assistance – and can tell you how hard it is to deal with such situations with love, but without being taken advantage of. It’s a difficult task to determine who truly is in need of assistance and who isn’t. So Paul is encouraging Timothy to discern that here with widows. Those who were truly widows were to receive honor – which in this context means financial support given in a dignified and honorable way. He goes on to explain the difference between what he calls a true widow and others in the next verses we’ll cover tomorrow.

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”