1 Peter 3:1, 2
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
God is concerned about the family life of a Christian. The root of the crisis in the society stems from the household of the family. In this section of 1 Peter, the responsibility of wives towards her husband is addressed: submit yourselves (subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, Amplified), wives are to volitionally and willingly go under the authority of their husbands. It does not imply that the wives bear the harsh abuses and harms of the husband. But that the wives serve and joyfully supports the husband in making decisions for the welfare of the family.
For the believing wives, Peter advises them to live out the Gospel rather than verbally proclaiming it. The wives are to set a good example of Christlike character in their daily living. This kind of character will attract the unbelieving husband to the power of Christ in believer’s lives. The wives are expected to appreciate and “encourage their husband(s) and enjoy him as a blessing from God” (Amplified Version).
Nothing repels a person from Christ than a professing Christians who fails to live out the Gospel. The beauty of Christianity is not the Gospel message per se but the Gospel in the life of a Christian. All convicting messages and apology (defense) are empty if the power of the Gospel is absent in the character of the Christian speaker. It is the Word that changes people and it is prerequisite that Christians experiences that power in their lives before openly proclaiming it.
Prayer: Father, may we experience more of the power of your word in our lives. May your transforming power become a reality in our lives. May people see more of your Son's character in our lives. In Christ Jesus' name, amen.
