Scripture

In the same way, you husbands must give honour to your wives, Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

Observation

Wives are to live under the authority of their husbands. They are to live godly lives in order to win their husbands over to the gospel without words. They should not be concerned with expensive jewellery, fancy hairstyles or beautiful clothes. Rather, they should clothe themselves with a gentle spirit.

Husbands must honour their wives, She may be physically weaker, but she is an equal partner in God’s gift of new life.

Application

It is odd that many Christians go for the Ephesians 5 prescription for marriage but overlook this passage.

Peter tells women to have a gentle spirit and to focus on their spiritual development rather than on the outward expression of clothes, hairstyles and jewellery.

Peter makes it clear that a man’s wife is his equal partner in the gift of new life. There is no lording over suggested here.

Men are to honour their wives. That means that we should build them up with our words, rather than tearing them down, We are to treat our wives with the same love, grace, and gentleness that God treats us with.

If we treat our wives properly, then our prayers will not be hindered. Paul tells us that marriage is a representation of the unity of the church with Christ. If we want to take part in that communion, then we need to make sure that our attitudes to our wives are appropriate.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the gift and the challenge of marriage. Please help me to honour my spouse always. Amen.