Study of First
Peter Lesson 43
Chapter
3
Review:
Next the
purpose clause which tells us why this submission is important
There is a saving impact of
the wife's submission
so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a
word
This is followed up by the method to be used:
by the behavior
of their wives, 3:2 as they observe your chaste and respectful
behavior.
any of them are disobedient to the word,
- Present active indicative avpeiqe,w which is a very strong word
-
to be unpersuaded, to continue to
refuse to believe the gospel, it portrays those who deliberately and
persistently set themselves against the claims of the gospel.
The objective: they may
be won
Peter's
word order, "they may be won over without a word by the behavior of
their wives,"
indicates that the wife's behavior may be an effective
evangelistic means to bring the unbelieving husband to Christ.
- being submissive and an example by living out the truth
is not a
guarantee that they will be won to the Lord as an unbeliever,
- without a word does not mean that the husband's
conversion will be affected apart from the Word of the gospel; it alone is God's regenerating agent (1 Pet.
- It is her translation of the Word into life-right before
the man's eyes-which proves a telling witness.
Next we
have the how! by the
behavior of their wives,
- instrumental, by means of dia. avnastrofh,
conduct, pattern of life, lifestyle
- this is all predicated on the reality that one takes in
the word consistently, believes it and as it changes their thinking in many
areas of life, as this new thinking is put into action in the life there will
be impact as others observe it.
3:2 The silent witness of agnos (what's being observed)
as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
According
to Peter, the husbands attention was captured by your
chaste and respectful behavior
- reverently
is evn fo,boj
some take this as the wife's attitude towards her husband but that is
secondary in that it is an outgrowth of her awe and respect for God which is an
essential ingredient of a holy life, that which offers strength and motivation
for daily conduct.
- The second term that
describes the wives conduct is a`gno,j translated chaste or pure.
- What is in view is
not to be limited to sexual fidelity;
- What is primarily in
view is that purity in character and conduct that should characterize all of
the Christian life (Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim.
3:3-4 Your face and overt charm
won't win Him to the Lord but the adornment of the real you will!
Peter
knew that it was not the external adornment that was the most important but
what was internal, what is going on in the soul, the influence of the Word in
her being lived out. That's his focus
here.
As
Christian wives who seek to impact their unbelieving pagan husbands they need
to use the right kind of adornment. Which is Peter's point!
Peter's
concern is to impress upon them that their outward attractiveness should not
serve as the basis for an evaluation of their true character.
If
your pattern ladies is to rely on the overt external to gain your way, or some
advantage, What
are you going to do when the overt, external fades with age? And it will!
Point
of Truth
It's
the inner beauty radiating from the life enveloped with the Word and living it
out that lasts!
Next
follows three clauses that elaborate the kind of adorning Peter had in view
that was common of the day.
braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry or putting on dresses;
3:3 Do not let your
adornment be external only braiding
the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, and putting on fine clothes. (NIV has it right here)
Summary Observations
1. Peter's point is that for Christian women to rely on
this kind of external adornment would suggest preoccupation with the
superficial over against the inner beauty of the soul that is plus doctrine
that he emphasizes in vs:4.
2. It goes without saying that Peter in this passage is
not encouraging slovenliness or an indifference toward
female attire.
3. Point I believe we need to understand is that anyone
with an understanding of the Word of God there will be an impact on their
grooming, especially the women.
4. This passage does not constitute an absolute
prohibition of braids or the use of any items of jewelry any more than it
forbids the actual putting on of clothes.
5. It is a warning against extravagance and self-centered
display. It is possible to be guilty of the evil Peter rebuked by wearing too
little as well as wearing too much.
6. Paul also deals with women's attire in 1 Tim 2:9-10.
Quick Rabbit trail -
1 Tim 2:9-10
vs:9 Likewise, (in
the same manner, that is as the men just mentioned in vs:8 who are to lift up
holy hands, a Hebraism for prayer)
- holy o[sioj undefiled, what's
in view is that they are to be morally and spiritually clean as they approach
the throne of grace in prayer;
- What Paul is saying here in vs:9 as he addresses the women "I want" (from vs:8) you women when you pray they were to be
morally and spiritually clean but also
to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly,
- proper clothing perfectly coordinated, orderly ko,smioj adj
your clothing should compliment you
and be coordinated
- modestly with propriety meta, aivdw,j
dress for the occasion
- discreetly, good
judgment swfrosu,nh thinking clearly; good common sense;
therefore with good judgment
Then Paul
adds some characteristics that need to be evaluated to fit the criteria just
last out.
with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,
7. Neither passage (1 Pet 3 or 1 Tim 2) is
opposed to good grooming and appearance but are saying that the overt charm is
not as important as the inner beauty from doctrine applied.