Peter takes a large portion of his letter to address proper behavior in order to be an example to the unbelieving. In this section Peter specifically focuses on the subject of relationships in several areas: relationship with the world (2:11-12), relationship with government (2:13-17), relationship with your employer (2:18-25), and the relationship between husbands and wives (3:1-7). In essence, Peter was saying that a person’s relationships in these areas will either help or hinder an individual’s witness before others. First, let’s look into our relationship with the world. Peter does remind them that the world is a temporary home for those who have faith in Christ. He calls them “sojourners and pilgrims” (2:11). The instruction is very simple here – practice good behavior so the unbelieving will see your life and their attention will be turned to God’s life changing power (2:12). Secondly, Peter commands his readers to “submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…for this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…” (2:13-15). Submitting to government carries the idea of willingly placing yourself under their authority. Although government does not always make the right decisions, Christians have a responsibility to obey the authority placed over us. Next, Peter examines the relationship between and employee and his or her employer. In a day when people complain about their boss and slack off at the workplace, Peter challenges followers of Christ to act differently. Whether a boss is good or bad, Peter advises the Christian to endure it and remember the suffering Jesus Christ experienced, even though he was innocent. Fairness is not always characteristic in the workplace so a believer should be prepared to be treated wrongly. Instead of rebelling against your employer, have faith that God will provide the grace which will sustain you through trying times. The last relationship about which Peter writes is the connection between a man and wife. It seems in keeping with the other relationships Peter has addressed, the husband in this marriage is not a follower of Christ (3:1). The wife is commanded to be submissive (willingly place herself under the authority of the man) and remember that “without a word” the husband “may be won by the conduct of their wives when they observe your chaste [purity] conduct accompanied by fear [of God]” (3:2). Peter then urges the wives not to just give attention to the outward appearance, but also the attitude of the heart, which is true beauty (3:3-6). In no way is Peter saying that the husband is superior to or more valuable than the wife, but he is reminding them that God has placed man as the authority over the home. This is God’s design. However, Peter quickly turns to the Christian husbands and gives them some important instruction about his relationship with his wife. “Husbands…dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel…that your prayers may not be hindered” (3:7). Although the husband is not called to submit to the authority of his wife, he is commanded to submit himself to her needs and feelings. A husband must make it a priority to understand his wife. When Peter refers to the wife as a “weaker vessel” he is not implying she is less important, but that she is in need of her husband’s protection. All of the relationships Peter has mentioned are imperative for the believer to conduct with holiness and submission. The way a follower of Christ handles their relationships has a direct influence on how others view God. How are your relationships?
Dear God, help me to conduct my relationships in a way which would draw people’s attention to Your goodness, grace, and mercy.
