In the Same Way

Click Here to Listen to Sunday Sermon for September 12, 2010 by Pastor Chip

Scripture Reference: 1Peter 3:1-7

“In the Same Way . . .”

1 Peter 3:7

The topic of marital submission is one that is controversial in Christian circles. Why? I don’t believe it is because of the scriptures. I believe it is because of our culture and because of our inherent selfishness and will-to-power. The scriptures, as I read them, call on all Christians to be in submission to each other. Let me talk about how this look in our First Peter passage we studied last Sunday.

In this passage we read, “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives . . .”

But this passage does not exist in isolation. It is part of a larger admonition on the subject of submission in general. Let’s look at that larger context. Peter’s train of thought follows this order:


1. Everyone, be in submission to the governing authorities. [verses 2: 13-17]

2. Slaves, submit to your masters [2:18-20]


Then Peter slows for a moment to tell us that Christ is the supreme example of submission. [2:21-25] Then he continues:

3. Wives, in the same way (as Jesus), be submissive to your husbands. [3:1-2]

4. Husbands, in the same way (as Jesus), be considerate is you live with your wives. [3:7]

5. Everyone, live in harmony with sympathy, love, compassion and humility. [3:8]

The telling point for me is the phrase “in the same way.” Peter admonishes, in the same way as Jesus submitted his life to God, to others, and to you, exhibit this submission as a part of your citizenship, your marriage, your work life, your church life.

That Jesus is our model of submission is obvious. But somehow, even with the words “in the same way,” we have created a climate in which submission for a wife looks distinctly subservient to the submission of a husband. I say this should not be. Am I rallying to the feminist cause that wants to deny differences between the sexes. No way. I’m not a feminist. But I am a Christian. And my Bible says that in Christ there is no hierarchy of status when it comes to our saved standing before God. “In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female.” [Galatians 3:28] And if there is no hierarchy in our standing before God in our regeneration, salvation, and redemption, then I have hard time assuming hierarchy anywhere else.

The Apostle Paul makes the same argument in Ephesians that Peter does in his letter. He admonishes the whole church, “Submit to one another out of reverence or Christ.” [Eph. 5:21] He then goes through a laundry list of relationship much as Peter does, calling for submission from wives, husbands, children, parents, slaves, and masters.

So, the wives ask, should I submit to my husband or not. And my answer is an unqualified yes. And your husband should be submitting his needs and wants to you in the same way.

The way that Jesus did.