We are the people of God. We are the people of God and we are called to live our lives in the midst of the world. And this is not a bad thing – it is a good thing.
Often, because the world is estranged from God, we feel a certain tension within ourselves. A tension between the values that the Spirit, through Scripture, instills in our minds and hearts and the values of this world, which are present in the systems, contexts, and environments in which we live our lives.
Often, because the world is estranged from God, we feel a certain tension within ourselves. A tension between the values that the Spirit, through Scripture, instills in our minds and hearts and the values of this world, which are present in the systems, contexts, and environments in which we live our lives.
And all these tensions, all this discomfort, give rise to actions, attitudes, states, judgments, and labels from both you and others. All this inner discomfort caused by clashing values generates a certain behavior from you.
These things were the same in the first century. Different religions or cults that forbade participation in Roman or local religious rituals, including the worship of family gods, were looked upon with disdain. Misfortunes happened because they did not worship the local gods.
These things were the same in the first century. Different religions or cults that forbade participation in Roman or local religious rituals, including the worship of family gods, were looked upon with disdain. Misfortunes happened because they did not worship the local gods.
Peter continues to advocate for submission to authority for the sake of testimony, alongside dismantling accusations regarding the subversive nature of Christianity. He shows us that our faith is not lived out and does not become visible only at church meetings but in every moment and context of life.
The development of behavior motivated and framed by the fear of the Lord serves both an evangelistic and apologetic role.
The development of behavior motivated and framed by the fear of the Lord serves both an evangelistic and apologetic role.
Because the call to faith in Christ is a call to life change and personal realignment, the conversion of either spouse in a Greco-Roman marriage had the potential to create serious problems both within the couple and between the couple and society.
Why might the conversion of a wife provoke opposition from her husband?
- The simple fact that a woman would adopt a different religion than her husband violated the Greco-Roman ideal of an orderly household;
- The husband and society would perceive the wife's worship of Jesus Christ as rebellion, especially since she worships Christ exclusively;
- The wife's participation in Christian worship would give her the opportunity to have fellowship with other Christians who were likely not her husband's friends.
Why might the conversion of a wife provoke opposition from her husband?
- The simple fact that a woman would adopt a different religion than her husband violated the Greco-Roman ideal of an orderly household;
- The husband and society would perceive the wife's worship of Jesus Christ as rebellion, especially since she worships Christ exclusively;
- The wife's participation in Christian worship would give her the opportunity to have fellowship with other Christians who were likely not her husband's friends.
Peter asks the Christian wife for submission—motivated and framed by the fear of the Lord—that serves both an evangelistic and apologetic role, leaving the specific aspects of this submission strictly between husband and wife.
In the context of 1 Peter, the weaker vessel is understood primarily as physical weakness compared to men's strength. Therefore, Peter's exhortation indirectly addresses the issue of physical abuse. However, the immediate context clearly shows that the woman is also weaker in terms of social rights and empowerment. Peter teaches that men whose authority over their wives goes beyond acceptable limits, even with full approval from society, will not be heard by God.
A husband who has not been able to honor his wife as a spiritual partner endangers his own prayers.
In the context of 1 Peter, the weaker vessel is understood primarily as physical weakness compared to men's strength. Therefore, Peter's exhortation indirectly addresses the issue of physical abuse. However, the immediate context clearly shows that the woman is also weaker in terms of social rights and empowerment. Peter teaches that men whose authority over their wives goes beyond acceptable limits, even with full approval from society, will not be heard by God.
A husband who has not been able to honor his wife as a spiritual partner endangers his own prayers.