"Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands" and "Husbands, likewise dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife -" 1Peter 3:1 & 3:7 NKJV
What a minefield this can be to discuss, a complete can of worms. However, it needn't be. God is a fair God with no partiality, but He does wish for the husband to be the head. This does not mean that He should rule with a rod of iron, if he does, he will get nowhere and will just add to the statistics of divorce proceedings.
Peter told wives to be submissive to their husbands, and used a comparison of the previous section - submission to masters. This is where it tends to go wrong; wives are not to be treated as doormats. Husbands are to be kind and gentle with their wives and, should honour her as their very best friend. They should listen to her and spend time with her, in other words, cherish her, making her feel extremely important. I once heard a preacher say, 'the weaker vessel is not a derogatory term, but means that the wife is a precious item that just might break if not treated properly.'
The husband and wife are heirs together, a partnership with Jesus in the centre. This partnership will go nowhere if they are at loggerheads. Their prayers will be hindered and it will be constant war within the marriage. Therefore, God is calling husbands to love, cherish and treat their wives with kindness, respect and love, and the wife to do likewise.
When you do this, Jesus has free access to bless this marriage beyond your wildest dreams.
Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard
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