my operating table

 “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,” - 1 Pet. 3:1

This is the verse that makes women all over the world have a collective cringe. However, in our first attempt at getting real with our faith and really digging deeper into what God wants for us, I think it’s important for us to start with something that takes us a little out of our comfort zones.

Growing up as an American girl, the idea of submitting to anyone, especially a man, goes against the grain. I am supposed to be fierce and independent, not reliant upon some man. This verse, however, clearly states that women are supposed to be in submission to their husbands. So how, as one who has grown up within this feminist culture, can I do that? 

First, let’s look at what it really means to be submissive. To do that, let’s go back into First Peter chapter 2. You see, the word “likewise” is so often overlooked within that first verse, and yet it’s so important. Likewise is telling us that we need to look back, because the author is relating the husband-wife relationship to something else, something bigger. 

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” 1 Pet. 2:18-20

Alright, so originally Peter was talking to servants. We all know that in the first century, slavery was a common practice. Something else we know is that slaves and masters alike were Christians. Becoming a Christian didn’t mean, though, that the slave was instantly released from his duties. No, nothing about that situation changed. What changed was the relationship that the servant had with the master. 

Now that the slaves had become Christians, they were held to a higher standard than before. They were to be submissive to their masters, and display goodness and gentleness because they were children of God. I’m sure that there were slaves who wanted to be free, but that just wasn’t the plan for them. Instead, they were kept in that situation because they could do good. Through their submissive attitudes, they could show the difference that had been made within them by the power of Christ. 

Fast forward to wives. 

I’m sure that there are plenty of women out there who are unhappy with the lot they find themselves in—having to submit to a husband. As women, that is the role that God has chosen for us to play, and while we may not like it or always agree with it, His ways are higher than our ways and we are to use our position—just like the slaves—to show that we are different from the rest of the world because of the change that the blood of Christ has produced within us. 

Now, let’s address the issue of being unhappy in this role. 

I’ve heard people say it isn’t fair, women shouldn’t have to submit. I’ve heard people say it was cultural, so women today don’t have to submit. I don’t believe either of those statements are true. 

As wives, we should consider ourselves extremely blessed to be in the positions that we are. You see, I’ve skipped a significant portion of 1 Peter that I’d like to share with you now. 

 ”For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” - 1 Pet. 2:21-25

That’s right, the example for submission is Jesus. The likewise from the “women are to submit” verse, is telling us that we are to be like Christ. 

Who are we to think that we shouldn’t submit? God Himself came down in the form of a man, humbling Himself to a degree that we will never comprehend, and then suffered and died for SINNERS, all the while being completely sinless Himself. His life was the example. The fact that He lowered Himself so much should humble each one of us and make us take a very critical look at ourselves the next time we think that we shouldn’t have to submit. 

I, for one, am beyond grateful that I have the opportunity to submit and to act like Christ every day. Unlike Christ, I will often fail in my attempts, but how amazing that I get this opportunity to strive to be like Him. 

So who are we to think we shouldn’t submit? Jesus is our example.