Submission

1 Peter 3:1-7
Submission is a loaded topic these days. We don’t completely understand what true biblical submission means. Context is important.
Ephesians 5:21-24
What does it mean to be like Jesus? 1 Peter 2:23-24
God word is powerful. It can accomplish great things in your life.

PowerPoint from the sermon


1 Peter 3:1-2
We can have few different reactions to this scripture.
– Accept it
– Ignore it
– Intellectualize it
– Find it offensive or challenging.

Your response to this message demonstrates the level of your faith.

There are a lot of misunderstandings on this phrase. Historically this passage has not been used to women’s advantage. It conjures images of limited opportunity, harassment, domestic violence, and worst.

Context is critical

Does everyone that calls themselves a Christian think we should try to be like Jesus?

– Wrestling with the text demonstrates your faith in God.

– Submission is directly related to submission to authority which in this case is God.

  • Gender roles are much more codified in the Jewish faith:
  • Only Women can light the Shabbat candles to usher in the Sabbath during a Chabad dinner.
  • There is no legal mechanism for a Jewish woman to divorce her husband.
  • Statistic: >in U.S. 70% of divorces are initiated by women. UK 80% of divorces are initiated by women.

Gentle and Praus

  • The Greek word Praus is translated as “gentle” or “meek”.
  • Defintion: Praus (prah-ooce’) power under control, or power that is submitted or surrendered.
  • It requires great inner strength to be Praus.
  • Refers more to a condition of the mind or heart.
  • The Greek word Hesuchios is translated as “quiet”.
  • Defintion: Hesuchios (hay-soo’-khee-os) tranquility arising from within, peaceable and quiet.

1 Peter 3:3-4

Greek vs. Jewish Beauty

  • The Greeks found beauty to be holy.
  • This was never a Jewish idea.
  • To the Jews Holiness was beautiful. (1 Sam 16:7)
  • It is not that the Jews were blind; Joseph, Moses, David, Ester and many others were described for their attractive physical appearance (Job 42:15).

1 Peter 3:5-6

  • Abraham made more than just a couple of mistakes (i.e. Pretended that he was not married to Sarah).
  • Even though Abraham gave into fear Sarah did not.
  • Submitting to a perfect God is easy in contrast to submitting to an imperfect husband.
  • Sarah put her hope in God, not her husband.
  • The only thing that impressed Jesus was faith (Mt 8, Lk 7).
  • God was certainly impressed with Sarah.
  • “Obeyed” and “lord”. These are strong words!
  • We are all equal before God (Gal 3:28).
  • There are different roles in a marriage.

Gen 3:16 –  To the woman he said,

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;

    with painful labour you will give birth to children.

Your desire will be for your husband,

    and he will rule over you.”

  • The Hebrew has no subtly that I can expose.
  • How are men to lead: Like Christ who sacrificed himself for his bride the church. (Eph 5: 21-33, Matt 14:13-14)
  • Side Note:

The curse of Adam takes 3 verses vs Eve takes just 1.

Wife of noble character

  • The bible does not say is that women are to be treated like slaves.
  • This woman is obviously trusted with major decisions.

Prov 31 – Wife of noble character:

  • Has a degree of autonomy.
  • Has more than one business.
  • Purchases land by herself.
  • Better be unified than being right – unless this unity brings disobedience obviously. (1 Cor 6:7, Eph 4:2-4)
  • Sometimes, it is hard to know who is right, and because of this, woman needs to submit.
  • God will bless humility and unity.

 

  • God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7).
  • Both men and women are called to be like Jesus “in the same way”.
  • Equal does not mean same; gender roles exist.
  • Ignoring them is ignoring what God has to say on the subject.
  • Ignoring them will hinder your prayers.