Meek—Not
Weak
Submission does not mean that a woman be
weak. In fact, to fulfill her God-intended purpose a woman must be very strong
emotionally and spiritually. The Apostle Peter taught this. “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; While
they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear” (1 Peter 3:1-2). Like
Paul, Peter taught that a woman must be in subjection to her husband. But Peter
also taught that a converted woman must have some limits concerning submission.
Let’s look at these verses closely. Verse 1
discusses a husband who is not obeying God’s Word. It implies that even though
a wife must be in subjection, she must not disobey God’s Word. In other words,
a wife must be spiritually strong enough to obey God even if the husband is not
obeying God. A godly woman would never allow any man to lead her away from God.
By writing these verses, Peter shows that
there should be great strength in feminine character. In verse 1, conversation
should be translated “conduct.” A truly converted wife will not follow a
disobedient husband’s bad conduct. In fact, her “chaste” conduct is a strong
example to her husband. Actually, through her obedience, a wife could lead her
husband out of disobedience. Notice that Peter emphasizes conduct. A woman
should strive to win back a disobedient husband through her conduct. Peter does
not say that a woman should nag at, complain against, cajole, or rebel against
her husband in everything because he is disobedient. She must be strong enough
to set the right example.
How does a woman maintain this kind of
strength and still be in subjection? Peter gives us the answer in verse 2.
Converted women must have good conduct “coupled with fear.” The word fear can
be a little misleading in this verse. Whom are the wives fearing? Are they
fearing just their husbands? No, they are in subjection to their husbands, but
they are also fearing God. Actually, to be a truly submissive wife, a woman
must be in subjection to God first.
What does God the Father look for most in His
Spirit-begotten women? “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of
plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 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” (verses 3-4). God does not care much for appearance. God places a high
value on women who have developed “a meek and quiet spirit.” Many women (and
men) today place too much emphasis on a woman’s beauty or status. But God says
a woman’s deep conversion is her true beauty. A Spirit-led woman is of great
price to God.
In order to show they are as good as men,
some women have developed a forward and noisy personality. This behavior is
unbecoming for men. It is even less becoming for women. A strong and secure
woman is feminine in all social situations. A woman with a “meek and quiet” spirit
is not a wallflower or a weakling. She wisely uses her feminine character to
assist and serve others.
Modern women have lost sight of the force and
vitality of true femininity. It is sad to say that there are not many examples
today for women to follow. Peter wrote, “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: 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” (verses 5-6). Peter points out that Sarah set an example for all
women to follow. Genesis records for us that Abraham did not live a perfect
life. He made mistakes—some were very serious mistakes. He even subjected Sarah
to some wrong situations in Egypt with Pharaoh and in Gerar with Abimelech
(Genesis 12 and 20). Yet Sarah obeyed Abraham. How could she obey him? 1 Peter
3:2 gives us the answer: Sarah trusted in God. When Abraham disobeyed God,
Sarah didn’t rebel against him. She looked to God for her protection. Study the
two accounts in Genesis. God saw to Sarah’s needs. If your husband isn’t
obeying God, you should not follow him in his rebellion. But neither can you
use his rebellion as an excuse to rebel against him. Trust in God and He will
see to your needs. True happiness will come to you if you remain submissive to
your husband. But never see submission as being weak. see Part 5
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