WELCOME
by Dena Ivie
For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. (1 Peter 3:5-6)
The royal daughter, as Sarah and other holy women who trusted in God, clothes herself with submission to her husband. Does this suggest that no matter what the husband requests, it must be done? Does this imply the royal daughter has no mind of her own? Let us consider what the scripture teaches about submission.
Read carefully "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body." ( Ephesians 5:22-23) Does Christ require anything of the church that would be sinful? No! Likewise, the husband is not to request anything of his wife that would be sinful. This is God's design for the husband and wife relationship.
We realize there are many marriages that do not adhere to God's plan. The Christian wife, the royal daughter, may have to choose, at times, whether she will adorn herself in submission to her husband or to God. What was the reply of Peter and the other apostles who were imprisoned for teaching of Jesus?
"And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:27 -29)
That must be the royal daughter's reply as well. If faced with the choice, she ought to obey God's will.
There also may be occasions when a husband's decision is not contrary to the will of God, but the wife does not agree with his idea. The wife, if she is adorned in submission, will yield to the decision of her husband. As a royal daughter, she will submit lovingly and cheerfully.
Yes, the royal daughter is clothed in submission, both to her God and to her husband. The commands in Ephesians 5:33, "...let the wife see that she respects her husband." and Hebrews 12:28, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." are both a part of this adornment of submission.
QUESTIONS
1. 1 Peter 3:5-6, "For in this manner, in former times, the _____ women who __________ in God also __________ themselves, being _____________ to their own ____________, as Sarah ____________ Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you ____ _____ and are not afraid with any terror."
2. According to the verse in question 1, the royal
daughter must adorn herself in submission to her husband. Give another
verse that also commands women to be submissive to their husbands.
3. What does it mean to be adorned in submission?
4. According to Titus 2:3-5, who are commanded to teach
the younger women to be submissive to their husbands?
__________________________
5. Thought question: Do you think "younger women" would
refer only to "young in age," or could it also refer to "young in the
faith?"
What is our responsibility to those "young in the faith?"
6. If a husband requires something of his wife that is
contrary to God's word, what should be the response of the wife? (Hint:
Study Acts 5:12-32.)
7. 1 Peter 3:1-2, "Wives, likewise, be
_______________ to your own ______________, that even if some do ____
_____ the ______, they, without a word, may be won by the ____________
of their ________, when they observe your ________ _________ accompanied
by fear."
