ered by the word subjection found in I Peter 3:1. It is unfortunately true that often the unsaved mate will make unreasonable and even some times ridiculous requests and de mands. This term subjection proper ly means to adapt one’s self, includ ing will and desires, to that of an other. In this case, it is to the hus band. A parallel passage is Ephe sians 5:22. This is not something new by any means, but has been God’s order throughou t Scripture since the fall of man as recounted in Genesis. Eve was told by the Lord, “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception . . . and thy de sire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Gen. 3 :16 ). So, the primary basis is that the husband is to be the head. In any household where this order is re versed, there always will be prob lems, if not real confusion and chaos. Peter adds several words here fol lowing the admonition to subjection which tell the believing wife that the devotion is to be “to her own hus band.” That’s an interesting word to insert. It means to your personal or private husband. Unfortunately, we’re living in a day when too many revere someone else’s husband rather than their own, the one they them selves selected. It’s true, the choice may not have been in God’s direc tive will, but in the final analysis, ours was the choice. I am sure we have heard state ments from an exasperated wife, who, humanly speaking, perhaps has every right to say to her partner, “Why can’t you be like so-and-so’s husband?” This will never help win a lost man to Christ and who knows, the other fellow may be much worse! Then Peter says, “I f any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of wives.” The word i f here indicates an obstinancy which is characteristic of the defensive unbeliever. We could 4
child of the devil, he’s going to be sure to have trouble with his father- in-law.” I Peter 3:1 admonishes, “Like wise, 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 con versation of the wives.” As we said a few moments ago, the word like wise means in the same manner as slaves or servants are to be in sub jection to their masters. This is not a case of setting up terms of slav ery. The wife is not to be the chat tel of her husband in any sense what soever. It’s not even a case of supe riority and inferiority. These are di vine principles which the Lord has ordained. In these early days of the Chris tian church, some women thought that just because they had found Christ as Saviour and their husbands had rejected the Lord they should leave their mates in order to spend time in worship and not be hindered by responsibilities. The Bible indi cates that the Lord wants us to look to Him in all our circumstances. Some women are particularly both-
Members of the Biola Quartet completed travel of more than 10,000 miles and conducted more than 50 meetings during this past sum mer. They will be singing this coming year in churches throughout the Southern California area. Pictured from left to right are Jerry Reub, Paul Mo refield(pianist), Jim Ladd, Tery Lambert, and Rex. Smith.
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