1 Peter 3:7
Verse
Context
Wives and Husbands
6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.7Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Sermons
Paul Washer
Keith Daniel
Denny Kenaston
Zac PoonenSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Dwell with them according to knowledge - Give your wives, by no species of unkind carriage, any excuse for delinquency. How can a man expect his wife to be faithful to him, if he be unfaithful to her? and vice versa. Giving honor unto the wife - Using your superior strength and experience in her behalf, and thus honouring her by becoming her protector and support. But the word τιμη honor, signifies maintenance as well as respect; - maintain, provide for the wife. As - the weaker vessel - Being more delicately, and consequently more slenderly, constructed. Roughness and strength go hand in hand; so likewise do beauty and frailty. The female has what the man wants - beauty and delicacy. The male has what the female wants - courage and strength. The one is as good in its place as the other: and by these things God has made an equality between the man and the woman, so that there is properly very little superiority on either side. See the note on Th1 4:4. Being heirs together - Both the man and woman being equally called to eternal glory: and as prayer is one great means of obtaining a meetness for it, it is necessary that they should live together in such a manner as to prevent all family contentions, that they may not be prevented, by disputes or misunderstandings, from uniting daily in this most important duty - family and social prayer.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
dwell--Greek, "dwelling": connected with the verb, Pe1 2:17, "Honor all." knowledge--Christian knowledge: appreciating the due relation of the sexes in the design of God, and acting with tenderness and forbearance accordingly: wisely: with wise consideration. them . . . giving honour to the wife--translate and punctuate the Greek rather, "dwelling according to knowledge with the female (Greek adjective, qualifying 'vessel'; not as English Version, a noun) as with the weaker vessel (see on Th1 4:4. Both husband and wife are vessels in God's hand, and of God's making, to fulfil His gracious purposes. Both weak, the woman the weaker. The sense of his own weakness, and that she, like himself, is God's vessel and fabric, ought to lead him to act with tender and wise consideration towards her who is the weaker fabric), giving (literally, 'assigning,' 'apportioning') honor as being also (besides being man and wife) heirs together," &c.; or, as the Vatican manuscript reads, as to those who are also (besides being your wives) fellow heirs." (The reason why the man should give honor to the woman is, because God gives honor to both as fellow heirs; compare the same argument, Pe1 3:9). He does not take into account the case of an unbelieving wife, as she might yet believe. grace of life--God's gracious gift of life (Pe1 1:4, Pe1 1:13). that your prayers be not hindered--by dissensions, which prevent united prayer, on which depends the blessing.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them,.... "With your wives", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read; which not only included dwelling together in the same house, and bedding together in the same bed, but the whole of conjugal conversation, and all the offices and duties incumbent on men in a married state: according to knowledge; of themselves, and their wives, and the duties belonging to the conjugal state, and the laws of God and man respecting it; and according to their knowledge of the Gospel, and the Christian dispensation, which no ways breaks in upon, but strengthens and encourages to the observance of things belonging to natural religion, and civil life; and according to that superior knowledge of things, which, generally speaking, men have to women; as also wisely, prudently, becoming their characters as men and Christians: particularly giving honour to the wife; by speaking well of her, and respectfully to her, and by deeds as well as words; not only by clothing her in a decent and becoming manner, suitable to her station; but by providing everything honest and comely for her, food and raiment, a suitable maintenance, all the necessaries, conveniences, and delights of life, that are laudable and proper; in which sense the word honour is used in Ti1 5:3 and this was agreeably to the doctrine of the Jews (q), who say, "let a man always take care , "of the glory of his wife"; for there is no blessing found in a man's house, but for the sake of his wife, as it is said, Gen 12:16 "and he entreated Abraham well for her sake": and Rabba used to say to the citizens, , "honour your wives", that ye may be rich. And indeed this is what they promised in their marriage contract, which runs thus (r): "be thou unto me for a wife, according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I, by the word of heaven, or God, will worship, "and honour", and nourish, and take care of thee, according to the custom of the Jews, who worship, and "honour", and nourish, and take care of their wives. As unto the weaker vessel; so in Th1 4:4 the wife is called a vessel; see Gill on Th1 4:4, and here "the weaker"; being so for the most part, both as to strength of body, and endowments of mind; and therefore to be used gently and tenderly, and not be treated with neglect and contempt, or with inhumanity and severity; but as, in every state and condition, the strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak; so a man should bear with, and accommodate himself to the infirmities of his wife, and hide them as much as he can, and not expose them, nor despise her on account of them. It is a saying of the Jews (s), "if thy wife be short of stature, bow thyself, and whisper to her. The meaning of the proverb is, that he ought to suit himself to her capacity and weakness: and as being heirs together of the grace of life; not of a natural life, and the good things of it; though husbands and wives partake of the same kind of life, and have a right unto, and share in the same necessaries of life; so Adam and Eve were partakers of the same life, and sharers of the same benefits; and which is a reason indeed why they ought to live lovingly together: but something more is intended; not the external gifts of the Spirit, which, unless in some few instances, are bestowed on men, and not on women; nor the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, which are the means of grace and life; though men and women, called by grace, have an equal right to them, and enjoy them; see Gal 3:28 but grace here, and glory hereafter, are here meant. Some copies, as the Alexandrian, and others, read, "heirs together of the manifold grace of life"; God's own people, without any difference as to sex, as men and women, equally share in grace, as it signifies the love and favour of God; which is the same to all the objects, as to the date of it, which is from everlasting, one not being loved before another; and as to the quality of it, which is free, sovereign, special, discriminating and unchangeable, one being loved not with one sort of love, another with another; and as to the quantity of it, it not admitting of more or less; and as to the duration, which is for ever: and so they are heirs of it, as it denotes the blessings of grace; being equally heirs of, and sharers in electing, redeeming, justifying, pardoning, and adopting grace: and as it may intend the internal graces of the Spirit, as faith, hope, and love; which as to their principles are the same in all the saints, though different as to the degree of the exercise of them: and which may be called "the grace of life"; or "living grace", as some copies and the Complutensian edition read, and so the Arabic version, because by it men and women, who were dead in trespasses and sins, are quickened; and in distinction to counterfeit grace, which differs as much from true grace, as the picture of a man from a living man; and because it lives for ever, and never dies, and gives a meetness for eternal life, which it springs up to, issues in, and is inseparably connected with. Moreover, by it may be meant eternal life and salvation, of which the saints, without any difference as to sex, are heirs of: so some copies read, "heirs of manifold grace, and life"; by the former, meaning grace here, and by the latter, glory hereafter; which is a life of vision of God, and uninterrupted communion with him; of perfection and pleasure, and which will last for ever; and may be called the grace of life, because it is the free gift of God's grace: and agreeably the Syriac version renders it, "the gift of eternal life"; and the Ethiopic version, glorious life: and this is represented as an inheritance, being what belongs only to the children; and which they have not by their own works, as an acquisition of theirs, but by the free grace of their heavenly Father, and as his gift and bequest unto them. Now all the saints, of whatever state, condition, or sex, are equally heirs of this inheritance; for there is but one inheritance, one kingdom, one crown of glory, which all shall enjoy; and whatever disparity there may be, particularly between husband and wife, in their natural relation, there is none in the things of grace, and with regard to the kingdom of glory; and which is an argument why husbands should dwell peaceably and comfortably with their wives, and give all due honour to them, since they are upon a par in spiritual things, there being neither male nor female in Christ Jesus, and because they are now joint heirs of, and shall equally share in eternal life and happiness, That your prayers be not hindered: as they would be were they not to dwell together; or should not the husband give honour to his wife, and take care of her as he ought to do: hence would arise strifes and quarrels, when they could not cordially, and to edification, join together in prayer; nor would such prayers, put up in wrath, be acceptable unto God, who requires that men should lift up holy hands everywhere, whether in public, or in private, in God's house, or in their own houses, without wrath and doubting. From hence we may observe, that family prayer is a duty incumbent on professors of religion, and great care should be taken that it be not neglected and hindered, (q) T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 59. 1. & Sepher Musar apud Drusium in loc. (r) Apud. Buxtorf. Chald. Gram. p. 389. (s) T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 59. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:7 In the same way: Like slaves and wives (2:18–3:6), husbands also have a particular responsibility within the household. • She may be weaker than you are: Peter was probably thinking of the woman’s physical strength and perhaps her social status. Since women are typically physically weaker than men and were often less able to assert themselves in that society, the husband had the duty of protecting and caring for his wife. • your equal partner in God’s gift of new life: The husband’s headship is balanced and informed by the equal status that men and women have before God (see also Gal 3:26-29). • The prayers of a husband are hindered if he does not give exceptional honor to his wife (cp. Jas 4:3).
1 Peter 3:7
Wives and Husbands
6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.7Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
夫妻之道 - Husbands and Wives
By Paul Washer8.9K1:16:41MarriageGEN 2:23ISA 1:18MAT 6:33EPH 5:22EPH 5:261PE 3:7In this sermon, the preacher discusses the judgment of God on the nation of Israel and how it manifests itself. He explains that God will remove the supply of bread and water from Jerusalem and Judah due to their rebellion against Him. The preacher also talks about the importance of following God's pattern in marriage and the responsibility of husbands to show tenderness and leadership. He emphasizes the need for husbands and wives to communicate and make decisions together, while also highlighting the importance of treating one's mother-in-law with tenderness and respect.
Prayer as a Way of Walking in Love: A Personal Journey
By Francis Chan6.4K1:06:11Walking in LovePrayerPSA 27:4ISA 58:9JER 29:12MAT 7:7MRK 11:24JHN 15:7PHP 1:281TI 6:15JAS 5:161PE 3:7Francis Chan emphasizes the transformative power of prayer as a means of walking in love, sharing his personal journey of experiencing God's love through answered prayers. He recounts various instances where God responded to his heartfelt cries, illustrating how prayer deepens one's relationship with God and fosters a sense of awe and gratitude. Chan encourages believers to prioritize their connection with God over mere ministry activities, highlighting that true strength comes from abiding in Him. He challenges the audience to reflect on their prayer lives and to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, which ultimately leads to a fearless and fruitful life.
(The Law of the Holy Spirit) God's House - a Three Story Building
By Zac Poonen6.2K49:09God's LoveLaw Of The Holy SpiritBuilding the ChurchPRO 22:15MAT 5:9JHN 17:23ACT 2:42ROM 8:1EPH 6:12COL 3:14HEB 10:241PE 3:71JN 4:18Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of building a godly life, home, and church, illustrating that the foundation of our lives must be rooted in the understanding of God's immense love for us, akin to how He loves Jesus. He shares personal experiences of overcoming feelings of inferiority and the necessity of surrendering every aspect of our lives to God to prevent the devil from gaining a foothold. Poonen stresses that a strong personal relationship with God and a loving home environment are essential before one can effectively contribute to the church. He encourages believers to focus on building a community of faith that reflects unity and love, rather than merely individual holiness. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to the church as the body of Christ, where believers work together in harmony to fulfill God's purpose.
Husbands Love Your Wifes!
By Keith Daniel5.6K1:36:02MarriageSacrificial LoveJOB 31:1PRO 15:23PRO 21:23PRO 31:10MAT 5:11MAT 19:51CO 13:4EPH 5:25COL 3:191PE 3:7Keith Daniel emphasizes the biblical command for husbands to love their wives, drawing from Matthew 19:5 and Ephesians 5:25. He highlights the importance of 'cleaving' to one's spouse, which signifies a deep, committed bond that reflects God's design for marriage. Daniel warns against the dangers of bitterness and urges husbands to honor their wives as the 'weaker vessel,' advocating for a sacrificial love that mirrors Christ's love for the church. He shares personal anecdotes and statistics about the fears of children regarding parental divorce, underscoring the need for strong, loving marriages. Ultimately, he calls for a complete surrender to God, which enables husbands to fulfill their roles with grace and integrity.
(A Heavenly Church) 1. Secure in God Our Father
By Zac Poonen5.1K31:23ISA 52:5MAT 6:33ROM 2:241PE 3:7In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not causing harm to others through our attitudes and words. He highlights the prevalence of insecurity and jealousy among God's people, which hinders the unity and growth of the body of Christ. The speaker acknowledges the selfishness that often exists within the church, with individuals seeking recognition and glory for themselves. He encourages believers to adopt a humble and loving mindset, treating each other with sympathy and tender hearts, regardless of their differences. The sermon also emphasizes the need to prioritize the things that God cares about and to learn from the mistakes of Israel in the Old Testament.
(Godly Home) Part 24 - Godly Men Have Radiant Wives
By Denny Kenaston3.6K39:11Godly Home SeriesMAL 2:15MAT 6:33EPH 5:25EPH 5:281PE 3:11PE 3:7In this sermon, the preacher discusses the power of love and its importance in marriage. He emphasizes that love is an unexplainable force that cannot be quenched or drowned. The preacher also highlights the sacrificial love of God, who laid down his life for humanity. He encourages men to love their wives deeply and to understand and appreciate their differences. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of good manners and discipline in cultivating a strong and radiant marriage.
A Reverential Fear of God
By Zac Poonen2.3K1:08:101CO 2:32CO 7:1EPH 5:21PHP 2:12HEB 4:11PE 1:171PE 2:11PE 2:171PE 2:211PE 3:11PE 3:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of reverent fear of God in our lives, highlighting the need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, to live in obedience and holiness, and to be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. It addresses the danger of moving from legalism to a state of no covenant, where secret sins and worldliness can creep in, leading to a decline in godliness. The speaker urges a return to a healthy balance, seeking God earnestly, fasting, praying, and evaluating our lives regularly to ensure we are walking in the true grace of God.
The Blueprint of Your Home
By Abner Kauffman2.3K1:11:56Home LifeDEU 24:52KI 4:10PRO 14:1MAT 6:33EPH 5:25COL 3:191PE 3:7In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of studying the Bible to show oneself approved by God. He encourages listeners to not neglect learning about their homes and the responsibilities that come with it. The speaker warns against the dangers of watching inappropriate videos and allowing worldly influences into the home. He also advises husbands to take responsibility for what their families are exposed to and to address any issues or tensions in the household promptly. The sermon highlights the significance of the kitchen as a place where husbands can play a role in creating a godly atmosphere in the home.
Revival in the Home
By Harold Vaughan2.2K42:52RevivalISA 44:3HOS 4:6MAL 2:11PE 3:7In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of bears in Yellowstone Park to illustrate how people can lose sight of their purpose. He questions whether we have lost the reason for our existence and forgotten that we are here for the glory of God. The preacher emphasizes the importance of respectability in daily life and the need for strong families built on relevant discipleship. He urges parents to be mindful of the heroes their children look up to and encourages everyone to turn their hearts towards their family members. The sermon also references Bible verses that highlight the purpose of marriage and the importance of family unity.
6 Hindrances to Prayer
By Jack David Daniels2.1K45:59Prayer LifePSA 34:3MAT 6:33EPH 4:26EPH 6:121TH 5:17JAS 1:51PE 3:7In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of spending time with God in prayer. He references the story of Peter and how he denied Jesus three times because he didn't pray. The preacher warns against being selfish in our purposes and desires, as it hinders our prayer life. He encourages listeners to cleanse their homes of sinful practices and to prioritize God in their lives. The sermon is supported by Bible verses from James and Psalms.
04 Building Fellowship as Husband & Wife
By Zac Poonen2.1K59:07GEN 3:9JOB 1:5PSA 133:1PRO 15:4PRO 18:21EPH 4:32COL 4:6JAS 3:21PE 3:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of God's order in earthly families as a foundation for building the church. It contrasts the focus on family in the New Testament with the lack of emphasis in the Old Testament, highlighting the significance of relationships within the family unit. The message encourages acknowledging mistakes, seeking forgiveness, and fostering fellowship between spouses and children, with a focus on speaking graciously and building a home filled with love and unity.
Talk on Marriage and Courting
By Keith Daniel1.5K1:23:30GEN 2:24PRO 18:22MAT 19:61CO 13:4EPH 5:25COL 3:191PE 3:71JN 4:71JN 4:19
This sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining love, tenderness, and respect in marriage, highlighting the need for forgiveness, grace, and a renewal of love through God's intervention. It challenges individuals to seek God's help in restoring and strengthening their marriages, urging them to prioritize their relationship with God and their spouse above all else.
Couples Night - Part 3
By Keith Daniel1.5K09:14PRO 22:6EPH 6:4COL 3:181TI 3:12TIT 2:3JAS 5:161PE 3:71JN 3:22
This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a holy and Christ-like life, especially in marriage, as it directly impacts the prayers we offer for our children. It highlights the responsibility parents have in setting a godly example for their children, particularly in the context of marriage, to avoid hindering their prayers. The message underscores the significance of demonstrating a life of faith and obedience to God's commandments to positively influence the spiritual journey of the next generation.
Couples Night - Part 6
By Keith Daniel1.4K08:48PRO 15:1PRO 18:21EPH 4:29EPH 5:25COL 3:191PE 3:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining tenderness and love in marriage, highlighting how a change in tone and lack of honor can erode the foundation of a Christian home. It challenges individuals to reflect on their interactions with their spouses, urging them to speak with kindness and honor, as it reflects their relationship with God and their commitment to love as Christ loved the church.
The Meaning of Head in the Bible
By Wayne Grudem1.4K1:08:22HeadshipGEN 2:18EXO 18:21MAT 6:331CO 11:32CO 4:2EPH 5:231PE 3:7In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of citing references in a way that makes them difficult to locate. He emphasizes that evangelical scholarship should aim to follow the procedure used by Paul, who commended himself to every person's conscience by openly stating the truth. The speaker also mentions a system used by Chris, where the word "A" is used to refer to a person in authority. The transcript includes references to a conference on building strong families and the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. The speaker concludes by mentioning a conversation with Stan Gundry, a senior vice president, who holds a different view but allows for the publication of opposing views in his work.
Couples Night - Part 5
By Keith Daniel1.4K09:13GEN 2:241SA 18:28PRO 21:9MAL 2:16MAT 19:61CO 13:4EPH 5:33COL 3:191PE 3:7
This sermon delves into the challenges and dynamics of marriage, drawing examples from historical figures like John Wesley and biblical characters like David and his wife. It explores the impact of a spouse's character on one's faith and the potential struggles faced within Christian marriages, emphasizing the importance of love, respect, and Godly behavior in relationships.
Couples Night - Part 8
By Keith Daniel1.3K08:23PRO 31:101CO 13:4EPH 5:25COL 3:191PE 3:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining love, tenderness, and honor in marriage, drawing inspiration from the relationship between Sarah and Abraham. It encourages couples to seek forgiveness, restoration, and grace from God to revive their love and commitment to each other, reflecting holiness in their marriage.
Forgiveness - Part 6
By Keith Daniel1.3K09:30PRO 31:26MAT 6:14EPH 4:32COL 3:131PE 3:7
This sermon reflects on the life of a godly woman who exemplified kindness, forgiveness, and grace towards her husband despite his shortcomings and challenges. It emphasizes the power of forgiveness, the importance of not harboring bitterness in relationships, and the impact of a Christ-like attitude in marriage and family life.
Love Is the Greatest
By Zac Poonen80759:26MAT 5:44LUK 7:47LUK 18:13ROM 5:82CO 5:14EPH 5:2COL 3:141PE 3:71JN 4:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining a deep love for Jesus by understanding the depth of His sacrifice on the cross and the significance of forgiveness. It highlights the need to prioritize fellowship with God above all else and to love others as Christ loved us, focusing on genuine, sacrificial love that reflects God's mercy and grace.
A Marriage Changed by God
By Zac Poonen80256:56GEN 1:4DEU 22:5ISA 49:15MAT 7:12EPH 1:18JAS 1:261PE 3:7This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinctions and roles within marriage, highlighting the need to recognize and respect the differences between husband and wife, as well as the importance of separating earthly concerns from heavenly priorities. It encourages patience, wisdom, and a focus on building a strong foundation in marriage to raise children who will honor God.
Holiness With Fellowship
By Zac Poonen5931:07:38PRO 27:17ROM 12:5EPH 4:15HEB 10:241PE 3:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of holiness not just in personal life but also in building fellowship with others in the local church. It highlights the deception of having holiness without genuine fellowship, stressing the need to yield, support, and encourage one another in love. The speaker shares insights on selfishness, conflict resolution, and the significance of joint ministry in the body of Christ, illustrating how genuine holiness is manifested through building fellowship and unity.
10 Ways to Waste Your Marriage
By Don Currin59154:091PE 3:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of honoring God in marriage by addressing various ways individuals can unintentionally harm their marriages. It highlights the need for full reliance on God, the significance of understanding God's purposes in marriage, and the impact of marriage on reflecting the relationship between Christ and the church. The sermon also stresses the role of the Holy Spirit in maintaining a Christ-like composure and the necessity of living for the glory of God in marriage.
10 Reasons Prayers Aren't Answered
By Shane Idleman55049:29PSA 51:10ISA 59:2MAT 6:9JHN 14:13JAS 5:161PE 3:7This sermon on Acts 12 emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, especially in times of delay and unanswered prayers. It highlights the need for self-examination, repentance, and a right attitude in prayer. The sermon also points to the true God who answers prayers and the significance of praying in Jesus' name.
Marriage: Anger, the Great Destroyer
By Shane Idleman54757:21PRO 13:15PRO 15:1PRO 15:18ACT 3:19ROM 8:5JAS 1:201PE 3:11PE 3:7
This sermon addresses the issues of anger, highlighting how it can be a destructive force in our lives, fueled by selfishness, jealousy, pride, addiction, and guilt. The speaker emphasizes the importance of repentance, turning back to God, and seeking times of refreshing in His presence. The message calls for personal revival, urging individuals to address their anger, seek forgiveness, and embrace a deeper relationship with God.
Husband and Wife - Like Christ and the Church
By Zac Poonen51258:04GEN 1:28PRO 14:1MAT 8:81CO 11:3EPH 5:22EPH 5:251PE 3:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of husband-wife relationships in the New Testament, highlighting the need for love, humility, and mutual respect within families. It contrasts the true strength of a church, which lies in strong family units, with the superficial emphasis on numbers and external activities. The message underscores the significance of humility, submission, and building godly homes as foundational aspects of Christian life and leadership.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Dwell with them according to knowledge - Give your wives, by no species of unkind carriage, any excuse for delinquency. How can a man expect his wife to be faithful to him, if he be unfaithful to her? and vice versa. Giving honor unto the wife - Using your superior strength and experience in her behalf, and thus honouring her by becoming her protector and support. But the word τιμη honor, signifies maintenance as well as respect; - maintain, provide for the wife. As - the weaker vessel - Being more delicately, and consequently more slenderly, constructed. Roughness and strength go hand in hand; so likewise do beauty and frailty. The female has what the man wants - beauty and delicacy. The male has what the female wants - courage and strength. The one is as good in its place as the other: and by these things God has made an equality between the man and the woman, so that there is properly very little superiority on either side. See the note on Th1 4:4. Being heirs together - Both the man and woman being equally called to eternal glory: and as prayer is one great means of obtaining a meetness for it, it is necessary that they should live together in such a manner as to prevent all family contentions, that they may not be prevented, by disputes or misunderstandings, from uniting daily in this most important duty - family and social prayer.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
dwell--Greek, "dwelling": connected with the verb, Pe1 2:17, "Honor all." knowledge--Christian knowledge: appreciating the due relation of the sexes in the design of God, and acting with tenderness and forbearance accordingly: wisely: with wise consideration. them . . . giving honour to the wife--translate and punctuate the Greek rather, "dwelling according to knowledge with the female (Greek adjective, qualifying 'vessel'; not as English Version, a noun) as with the weaker vessel (see on Th1 4:4. Both husband and wife are vessels in God's hand, and of God's making, to fulfil His gracious purposes. Both weak, the woman the weaker. The sense of his own weakness, and that she, like himself, is God's vessel and fabric, ought to lead him to act with tender and wise consideration towards her who is the weaker fabric), giving (literally, 'assigning,' 'apportioning') honor as being also (besides being man and wife) heirs together," &c.; or, as the Vatican manuscript reads, as to those who are also (besides being your wives) fellow heirs." (The reason why the man should give honor to the woman is, because God gives honor to both as fellow heirs; compare the same argument, Pe1 3:9). He does not take into account the case of an unbelieving wife, as she might yet believe. grace of life--God's gracious gift of life (Pe1 1:4, Pe1 1:13). that your prayers be not hindered--by dissensions, which prevent united prayer, on which depends the blessing.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them,.... "With your wives", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read; which not only included dwelling together in the same house, and bedding together in the same bed, but the whole of conjugal conversation, and all the offices and duties incumbent on men in a married state: according to knowledge; of themselves, and their wives, and the duties belonging to the conjugal state, and the laws of God and man respecting it; and according to their knowledge of the Gospel, and the Christian dispensation, which no ways breaks in upon, but strengthens and encourages to the observance of things belonging to natural religion, and civil life; and according to that superior knowledge of things, which, generally speaking, men have to women; as also wisely, prudently, becoming their characters as men and Christians: particularly giving honour to the wife; by speaking well of her, and respectfully to her, and by deeds as well as words; not only by clothing her in a decent and becoming manner, suitable to her station; but by providing everything honest and comely for her, food and raiment, a suitable maintenance, all the necessaries, conveniences, and delights of life, that are laudable and proper; in which sense the word honour is used in Ti1 5:3 and this was agreeably to the doctrine of the Jews (q), who say, "let a man always take care , "of the glory of his wife"; for there is no blessing found in a man's house, but for the sake of his wife, as it is said, Gen 12:16 "and he entreated Abraham well for her sake": and Rabba used to say to the citizens, , "honour your wives", that ye may be rich. And indeed this is what they promised in their marriage contract, which runs thus (r): "be thou unto me for a wife, according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I, by the word of heaven, or God, will worship, "and honour", and nourish, and take care of thee, according to the custom of the Jews, who worship, and "honour", and nourish, and take care of their wives. As unto the weaker vessel; so in Th1 4:4 the wife is called a vessel; see Gill on Th1 4:4, and here "the weaker"; being so for the most part, both as to strength of body, and endowments of mind; and therefore to be used gently and tenderly, and not be treated with neglect and contempt, or with inhumanity and severity; but as, in every state and condition, the strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak; so a man should bear with, and accommodate himself to the infirmities of his wife, and hide them as much as he can, and not expose them, nor despise her on account of them. It is a saying of the Jews (s), "if thy wife be short of stature, bow thyself, and whisper to her. The meaning of the proverb is, that he ought to suit himself to her capacity and weakness: and as being heirs together of the grace of life; not of a natural life, and the good things of it; though husbands and wives partake of the same kind of life, and have a right unto, and share in the same necessaries of life; so Adam and Eve were partakers of the same life, and sharers of the same benefits; and which is a reason indeed why they ought to live lovingly together: but something more is intended; not the external gifts of the Spirit, which, unless in some few instances, are bestowed on men, and not on women; nor the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, which are the means of grace and life; though men and women, called by grace, have an equal right to them, and enjoy them; see Gal 3:28 but grace here, and glory hereafter, are here meant. Some copies, as the Alexandrian, and others, read, "heirs together of the manifold grace of life"; God's own people, without any difference as to sex, as men and women, equally share in grace, as it signifies the love and favour of God; which is the same to all the objects, as to the date of it, which is from everlasting, one not being loved before another; and as to the quality of it, which is free, sovereign, special, discriminating and unchangeable, one being loved not with one sort of love, another with another; and as to the quantity of it, it not admitting of more or less; and as to the duration, which is for ever: and so they are heirs of it, as it denotes the blessings of grace; being equally heirs of, and sharers in electing, redeeming, justifying, pardoning, and adopting grace: and as it may intend the internal graces of the Spirit, as faith, hope, and love; which as to their principles are the same in all the saints, though different as to the degree of the exercise of them: and which may be called "the grace of life"; or "living grace", as some copies and the Complutensian edition read, and so the Arabic version, because by it men and women, who were dead in trespasses and sins, are quickened; and in distinction to counterfeit grace, which differs as much from true grace, as the picture of a man from a living man; and because it lives for ever, and never dies, and gives a meetness for eternal life, which it springs up to, issues in, and is inseparably connected with. Moreover, by it may be meant eternal life and salvation, of which the saints, without any difference as to sex, are heirs of: so some copies read, "heirs of manifold grace, and life"; by the former, meaning grace here, and by the latter, glory hereafter; which is a life of vision of God, and uninterrupted communion with him; of perfection and pleasure, and which will last for ever; and may be called the grace of life, because it is the free gift of God's grace: and agreeably the Syriac version renders it, "the gift of eternal life"; and the Ethiopic version, glorious life: and this is represented as an inheritance, being what belongs only to the children; and which they have not by their own works, as an acquisition of theirs, but by the free grace of their heavenly Father, and as his gift and bequest unto them. Now all the saints, of whatever state, condition, or sex, are equally heirs of this inheritance; for there is but one inheritance, one kingdom, one crown of glory, which all shall enjoy; and whatever disparity there may be, particularly between husband and wife, in their natural relation, there is none in the things of grace, and with regard to the kingdom of glory; and which is an argument why husbands should dwell peaceably and comfortably with their wives, and give all due honour to them, since they are upon a par in spiritual things, there being neither male nor female in Christ Jesus, and because they are now joint heirs of, and shall equally share in eternal life and happiness, That your prayers be not hindered: as they would be were they not to dwell together; or should not the husband give honour to his wife, and take care of her as he ought to do: hence would arise strifes and quarrels, when they could not cordially, and to edification, join together in prayer; nor would such prayers, put up in wrath, be acceptable unto God, who requires that men should lift up holy hands everywhere, whether in public, or in private, in God's house, or in their own houses, without wrath and doubting. From hence we may observe, that family prayer is a duty incumbent on professors of religion, and great care should be taken that it be not neglected and hindered, (q) T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 59. 1. & Sepher Musar apud Drusium in loc. (r) Apud. Buxtorf. Chald. Gram. p. 389. (s) T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 59. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:7 In the same way: Like slaves and wives (2:18–3:6), husbands also have a particular responsibility within the household. • She may be weaker than you are: Peter was probably thinking of the woman’s physical strength and perhaps her social status. Since women are typically physically weaker than men and were often less able to assert themselves in that society, the husband had the duty of protecting and caring for his wife. • your equal partner in God’s gift of new life: The husband’s headship is balanced and informed by the equal status that men and women have before God (see also Gal 3:26-29). • The prayers of a husband are hindered if he does not give exceptional honor to his wife (cp. Jas 4:3).