1 Peter 3:6
Believers, particularly women, are called to imitate Sarah's faith and obedience, doing good works, hospitality, and living in subjection to their husbands.
John Gill emphasizes the example of Sarah's obedience to Abraham as a model for women, illustrating her faithfulness in following him and fulfilling her role with respect and honor. He explains that true daughters of Sarah are those who, through grace, imitate her in faith and good works, particularly in their relationships with their husbands. Gill encourages women to act with courage and not be deterred by fear, highlighting that obedience and good deeds should be done with love and for God's glory, just as Sarah did despite the challenges she faced.
Text
Ver. 6. Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham,.... Going along with him wherever he went, as from Chaldea to Canaan, and into Egypt, and the land of the Philistines, saying the words he put into her mouth, Ge 12:5 and doing the things he bid her do, Ge 18:6 "calling him lord"; or "my lord", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it, and as it appears she did from Ge 18:12. The Jews use this instance to the same purpose the apostle does, saying {p},
"the wife ought to take care of the family, to educate her children, to serve and minister to her husband in all things, "calling him her own lord"; which is what we learn from the example of Sarah, who called Abraham her lord, saying, "my lord is old".''
Whose daughters ye are; meaning not by natural descent, though they were, these being Jews the apostle writes to, but by grace, and in a spiritual sense; just as those are the children of Abraham, who walk in the steps of his faith, whether they be Jews or Gentiles; so such are the daughters of Sarah, the children of the free woman, who imitate her in faith and obedience; that is, they appear, and are declared to be so:
as long as ye do well: do acts of beneficence and hospitality to strangers, and proper objects, as Sarah did, and all and every good work, according to the will of God, from love, and in faith, and with a view to his glory; and particularly obey and live in subjection to their husbands, as she did: and are not afraid with any amazement; are not deterred from doing well, nor scared by the terrors and menaces of wicked men, either their own husbands, or others; or who with fortitude and intrepidity of mind continue in the discharge of their duty to God and men, and particularly to their husbands, following them, and obeying their lawful commands, as Sarah did in Egypt, and in Gerar, though she exposed herself to great danger: this is said, because women are timorous, and apt to be frightened at everything, from the performance of their duty.
{p} Sepher Musar apud Drus. de Quaesitis, Ep. 54. & in loc.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to Sarah's Example
- A. Sarah's obedience to Abraham
- B. The Jews' interpretation of Sarah's example
- II. The Spiritual Significance of Sarah's Example
- A. Believers are daughters of Sarah by grace
- B. Imitating Sarah's faith and obedience
- III. Practical Applications of Sarah's Example
- A. Doing good works and hospitality
- B. Obedience to husbands and living in subjection
- C. Courage in the face of adversity
Key Quotes
“The wife ought to take care of the family, to educate her children, to serve and minister to her husband in all things, calling him her own lord.” — John Gill
“Whose daughters ye are; meaning not by natural descent, though they were, these being Jews the apostle writes to, but by grace, and in a spiritual sense;” — John Gill
“as long as ye do well: do acts of beneficence and hospitality to strangers, and proper objects, as Sarah did, and all and every good work, according to the will of God, from love, and in faith, and with a view to his glory;” — John Gill
Application Points
- Believers should strive to imitate Sarah's faith and obedience in their own lives.
- Doing good works and hospitality is an important part of living out one's faith.
- Living in subjection to one's husband is a key part of a woman's role in the family.