Devotional 05 September 2025

Peter continues his exhortations with the word “likewise.” He has already addressed servants (2:18–25) and wives (3:1–6), and now he turns to husbands. This word signals that he is not shifting topics, but continuing the theme of Christian witness by resisting the desires of the sinful nature. The Christian life calls us to live differently, even when our natural tendencies, shaped by the Fall, pull us in the opposite direction.

From Genesis 3 we see how sin corrupted the marriage relationship: the woman’s desire would be contrary to her husband, and the man’s response would be to dominate her (Gen. 3:16). Peter’s exhortations to wives and husbands directly confront these distortions. Wives are told not to rely on outward beauty to manipulate their husbands, but to trust in God and adorn themselves with a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Pet. 3:3–6). Likewise, husbands are told not to exploit their physical strength to dominate their wives, but to honor them, live with them in understanding, and remember that they are coheirs of the grace of life.

This equality before God is crucial. As Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28–29). Husbands and wives are both heirs of eternal life. Yet equality does not erase difference. Each faces distinct temptations shaped by the Fall: wives may be tempted to control, husbands to crush. Peter addresses both, calling each to resist sin and reflect Christ in their role.

For husbands, this means that strength is not measured by outward dominance. As Proverbs 16:32 reminds us, “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” True strength is seen in patience, gentleness, and self-control. The model is Christ Himself, who though Creator and Lord, humbled Himself and took the form of a servant (Phil. 2:5–11). His victory was not through violent conquest, but through obedience to the Father, even unto death. “Take heart; I have overcome the world,” He said (John 16:33).

Therefore, a husband who honors his wife shows Christlike strength. He recognizes her physical vulnerability not as an opportunity to assert power, but as a call to display gentleness and care, reflecting how Christ bore with us in our weakness (Rom. 15:1–3). To fail here is not a small matter, Peter warns that it hinders prayer. Just as Jesus taught that unforgiveness blocks our fellowship with the Father (Matt. 6:14–15), so mistreatment of one’s wife disrupts communion with God.

Marriage, then, is a living testimony of the gospel. Wives and husbands resist the curse in different ways, but both point to Christ, who is preeminent in all things (Col. 1:18). In this way, the household itself becomes a witness that God’s grace has triumphed over sin.