PART 1
Suddenly, Peter goes from talking about suffering and the blessings received when suffering for Christ, to talking about equality and submission to authority. Is there a common ground between the two? A close study shows that there is.
When suffering for Christ, in order to be a testimony, one must decide to submit. Submitting, is a willing choice to show respect, and in doing so, it becomes a testimony. Just as one chooses to accept suffering for Christ by remaining faithful while suffering, willingly submitting to another is a show of honor and respect.
Suffering is usually not a choice often taken, whereas, submitting is an act of one’s free will. When Peter mentioned that women should submit to their husbands, he’s not talking about blind obedience. Not being obedient can be costly.
For example, if one is not obedient to his or her employer for example, they could lose their job. In choosing to be obedient, one does so with the understanding that he or she will avoid consequences that are not pleasant.
Choosing to submit is done knowing that you are showing respect and honor to another. When another freely receives respect and honor, that person will show respect and honor in return.
And this is what Peter meant when he referred to husbands treating their wives as equals. (1 Peter 3:7) Women, the positive results of submission to your husbands is the command that he treats you with respect and as an equal. And as an equal, he must submit to you, as well. (1 Peter 3:8-9).
When taken in proper context, submission is nothing to be afraid of. God makes it very clear when a wife submits to her husband, he must respond with love, compassion, sympathy and humility, as too so should the wife towards her husband. And as clearly stated in 1 Peter 3:7, this leads to equality for women.
PART 2
A lot of Christians, especially women, refer to Ephesians chapter 5 verses 22 to 33 and then zoom in on verses 22, 23 and 24; where it says that a woman must submit to her husband.
In a lot of cases, this passage is misinterpreted. For some people, it is difficult for them to get past those verses and move on to Ephesians 5 verses 25 and 28. What this passage is saying is: God did not tell a woman to submit to her husband, “end of story.” He wisely attached a clause stating that if submission by the wife towards the husband is to be carried out, the husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church, meaning all believers. And there is no greater love than the love that Christ has for his children.
Submission is simply a role that women and men are called by God to carry out, in return for a love that is greater than any other. A wife has been called by God to love her husband, just as a husband has been called by God to love his wife. Both parties are given a calling to implement submission and love into the marriage, so that the marriage will be more blessed. Because both parties have been called by God to carry out a specific role in the marriage, one role will not work unless the other role is being carried out, as well. Both roles are required in order to bless the marriage therefore, both husband and wife are equal within the marriage and in submission.
Jesus came as a submitting servant. He came to serve, not to be served; to submit, in love, to and for His believing children, the church, and to act in submission and obedience to His Father.
Amen.