Keraia
1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:7

Wives and Husbands · 1 Peter 3:1–7
Read 1 Peter 3

Translations

Modern
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Traditional
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Literal
Husbands do likewise, dwelling with them according to knowledge, as with a weaker vessel, with the female, rendering honor as co-heirs also of the grace of life, in order for your prayers not to be hindered.
Latin
Viri similiter cohabitantes secundum scientiam, quasi infirmiori vasculo muliebri impartientes honorem, tamquam et cohæredibus gratiæ vitæ: ut non impediantur orationes vestræ.

Original

Greek
English
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Notes

1 Peter 3:7

  • In the same way: Like slaves and wives, husbands also have specific responsibilities in the household (2:18–3:6).

  • as a delicate vessel: Peter was likely referring to a woman’s physical strength and possibly her lower social status in that society. Because women were usually physically weaker than men and often had less power to protect themselves, the husband had the responsibility to care for and protect his wife.

  • fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life: The husband’s role as head must be balanced by the truth that men and women have equal status before God (see also Galatians 3:26–29).

  • A husband’s prayers are hindered if he does not give special honor to his wife (compare James 4:3).

1 Peter 3:1–7

The last of Peter’s three teachings about accepting authority speaks to wives and husbands (2:13–3:7; compare Ephesians 5:21–33; Colossians 3:18–19).

1 Peter 2:13–3:7

This section focuses on the key instruction to submit to all human authority. Peter applies this instruction to several relationships:

  • Christians should accept the authority of those in government (2:13–17).

  • Christian slaves should accept the authority of their masters (2:18–25).

  • Christian wives should accept the authority of their husbands (3:1–6).

Peter appears to follow an early Christian use of the traditional household code. This code gave a series of instructions for different members of a household. Similar examples appear in Ephesians 5:21–6:9, Colossians 3:18–4:1, 1 Timothy 5:1–6:2, and Titus 2:1–10.

Parallels

Song of Solomon 1:1–17 Ephesians 5:22–33

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Descent into Hell Gentleness Honor Letter to the Ephesians Peter, First Letter of

Topics

Abuse from a Spouse Abusive Husbands Abusive Marriages Abusive Relationships Bad Husbands Beating My Wife Being a Good Husband Being a Good Wife Being a Husband Being Unequally Yoked Black and White Marriage Christian Conduct: Fulfilling Domestic Duties Communication in Marriage Disobedient Wives Domestic Abuse Domestic Violence Domestic Violence and Abuse Emotional Abuse Finding a Wife Gender Gender Roles Good Wife Grace: Saints are Heirs of Grounds for Divorce Head of Household Headship Healthy Relationships Helpmate Honor your Husband Honor your Wife Husband: General Scriptures Concerning Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Respect Them Job's Wife Leadership in the Home Love your Wife Loving a Married Man Loving your Wife Male Leadership Manhood Marital Fight