20161018 Tuesday, October 18 2016
1 Peter 03: What Did Peter Say About Men Who Bully Women?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered"

The apostle Peter was married. The Messiah's healing of the mother of Peter's wife, who also lived with Peter, is one of the most well-known healings of His Ministry:

"8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them." (Matthew 8:14-15 KJV)

Peter's wife also accompanied him in his LORD-appointed apostolic duties (see The Cornerstone Prophecy) - as did the wives of most of the other apostles, and the brothers of Jesus (i.e. the sisters-in-law of Jesus; see The Kinsfolk Of Jesus Of Nazareth).

"9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?" (1 Corinthians 9:5 KJV; see also What Did The Apostle Paul Really Think Of Women?)

"Bully" is defined as "A person who deliberately intimidates or is cruel to weaker people; An aggressive, rude, noisy troublemaker; A thug" (the WordWeb Dictionary from Princeton University).

Peter's statement about women as "the weaker vessel" has been widely reviled for centuries because it has been interpreted by some to mean that Peter was saying that women are inferior. But read all of what he said - along with the warning to "strong" men who bully and abuse women.

Peter was making a statement about the biological and physiological fact that females are usually less physically strong than males (how many female NHL hockey players or NFL football players have you ever seen?) and that no one is to abuse them - most particularly their husbands. Notice that Peter used the "weaker vessel" term in a warning not to abuse those who the LORD has made equal "heirs together of the grace of life."

And what will happen to those who do commit such abuse? The LORD will turn away from them and refuse to even hear their prayers: "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

"3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." (1 Peter 3:1-7 KJV)

Peter then continued the lesson to everyone, male and female, including a quote of Psalm 34:12-16 in verses 10-12 below.

"3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (1 Peter 3:8-22 KJV)

Fact Finder: Who was "Adam"?
See Who Did God Call Adam?; also Eve Was Created From Adam; What Woman Was Created From Jesus Christ?