Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words. They will be won over 2 by watching your pure, godly behavior.” – 1 Peter 3:1-2
When a man became a Christian, he usually would bring his whole family into the church with him. A good example of this is found in the story of the conversion of the Philippian jailer in Acts. – 29 “Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 He brought then out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ 31 They replied, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household.’ 32 Then they shared the Word of the Lord with him and all who lived in his household. 33 That same hour the jailer washed their wounds, and he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 Then he brought them into his house and set a meal before them. He and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in GOD.” – Acts 16:29-34 – By contrast, a woman who became a Christian usually came into the church alone. Under Roman law, the husband and father had absolute authority over all members of his household, including his wife. Demanding her rights as a free woman in Christ could endanger her marriage if her husband disapproved. Peter reassured Christian women who were married to unbelievers that they did not need to preach to their husbands. Under the circumstances, their best approach would be one of GODly behavior. They should show their husbands the kind of self-giving love that Christ showed the church. By being exemplary wives, they would please their husbands. At the very least, the men might then allow them to continue to practice their “strange” religion. At best, their husbands would join them and become Christians also.
3 “Do not be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to GOD.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4 – A changed life speaks loudly and clearly, and it is often the most effective way to influence a family member. Peter instructs Christian wives to develop inner beauty rather than being overly concerned about their outward appearance. Their husbands will be won over by their love rather than by their looks. We should all live our Christian faith quietly and consistently in our home, so that our families will see Christ in us. We should not be obsessed by fashion, but neither should we be so unconcerned that we do not bother to care for ourselves. Hygiene, neatness, and grooming are important, but even more important are a person’s attitude and inner spirit. True beauty begins inside.
Father, in today’s world, it is so hard to understand that we do not have to have fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes to look good. The media portrays women as tall thin and very well put together with the very things that Peter is telling us we do not need. Although we realize that hygiene, neatness, and grooming are important, what is more important than that are our attitudes and inner spirit. LORD, help us as GODly women to realize that, as YOUR Word says, we should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle quiet spirit, which is so precious to YOU.
Photo: Surfside Beach (Texas)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
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