“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your 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,”
In the first century if a man accepted Christ, often the wife followed. It was true then and is true today; women were more open to the gospel than men. Soon the question was how were the wives to live so as to positively witness to their unsaved husband. As the heads of the households, the men often resented what happened and resulted in suffering for their wives. What was the best way to help win their husbands over to Christ?
First, submission is for the sake of witness. This is one of those passages that is full of controversy if people in our day make it such. In the day of Women's Liberation, we do not like being told submit. Yet this is the call of Christ for all of us.
I did a survey at church asking the question “What would you like young couples to know before marriage?” When it came to spiritual things the women tended to be more open in their comments than the men. Majority of the answers centered around marrying a believer in Jesus Christ.
If you have become a believer after marriage that is a different matter. You are not to leave your spouse, but be the type of wife that will allow God's Spirit to work on him and bring him to salvation. Be the best wife you can. Honoring, respect, encourage, love and agree to let Him lead in ways that are right. Turn your rights over to the Lord.
Secondly, Submit for the sake of harmony. Don't get caught up in power struggles. God designed that there be leadership in every organization.
We are to reflect love and submission, care and giving up of rights for greater enduring happiness. Our marriages must be different than the way other marriages are made, if we are under God's authority. God holds the husband responsibility for how the family is doing. That is the ideal situation as the marriage team works together each with their gifts and abilities.
Submission was set as an example by Jesus, as Jesus lived in submission to the will of His Father, yet they were co-equal in nature and in essence. He voluntarily ordered His earthly experience to the will of His Father so that the His Father’s glory and love might be more clearly seen. That is the model Peter presents for us all.
Listen also to some of the comments from the men in the survey. "Let their husband be the leader and be the man she fell in love with. “Be a good helper to your husband.”
Marriage is a step of faith. By letting the Lord do the leading according to the principles laid out in the Scriptures work together. Disorder happens when we seek our own will and way.
Application: Live in submission to Christ and Your spouse.
Prayer: Lord, help me remember that the marriage covenant is a symbol of your love and relationship with the church, which is in full submission to You and Your Word. So may it be in my marriage.
