The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 134

EXPOSITION. treatment to endure in those coarse, cruel CHAPTER IIL days; they must bear it with the quiet Ver.1.-Likewise, ye wives. St. Peter has strength of gentleness. Be in subjection to spoken of the duties of servants: why docs your own husbands; literally, submitting he omit those of masters? There must have yourselves. 'l'he participle, as in eh. ii. 18, bP.en Christian masters in Asia Minor, as is seems to look back to 1.he imperative, "sub- plain from Eph. vi. 9; Col. iv. 1, But we mit yourselves,'' in eh. ii. 13. The present notice that St. Paul, thongh he bas a few participle implies that this voluntary sub- words for masters, addresses slaves at much mission is to be hobitual. The adjective greater length. Probably Christian masters "your own" (loio,s) emphasizes the duty. were comparatively few, while large numbers That, if any obey not the Word, they also may of slal'es had embraced the religion which without the Word be won by the conversa- could do so mnch to comfort and elevate the tion of the wives. There is a well-supported oppressed. Again, the immediate purpose reading, "Even if any." Husband and wife of the apostle is to inculcate submission would often be converted together; but if to authority ; therefore, having enforced this should not be the case, and if the un- upon Christian servants the example of believing husband should set himself in their Lord, he proceeds to speak of the duty direct opposition to the Word of God (for the of Christian wives. Christianity was in its words "believe not " have more than o. infancy; it wns to be the means of abolish- negative mee.ning, as in eh. ii. 7), still ing slarnry, and of raising woman to her Christian wives must submit themselves. proper place in society; but ne yet slo.vee They must do this for the glory of God, and were cruelly oppressed. and women were ill with the hope of saving their husbanlls'eouls; treated and despised. .Aristotle tells us that that those unbelieving husbands may be among the barbaris.ns (and a large propor- won to Christ nnd to everh!.sting life by tho tion of 1.he population in the greater po.rt of silent eloquence of the quiet self-restraint Asia Minor was barbarian, i.e. non-Greek) e.nd holy belwriour of their wives, without the woman and the slave hold the same argument or preaching on the wives' part. rauh (' Pol.,' I. ii. 4). In Greek communities A self-denying holy life will do more to win the case was different; but even among the those with whom we live in close intercourso Gr"eks women occupied a very subordinate thau even holy words, and much more than position. Christianity would introduce a debate and controversv. This seems to ba great and sweeping change in the relations the meaning of lfv,v 1,.&-yov rather thi:m tho of the sexes, as well as in the relations of other possible interpretation," without the master and slave. But the change must be preaching of the Word." Be won; literally, gradual, not violent; it must be brought be gained. Each soul converted is a gain to about by the softening and purifying intiu- Christ, to the kingdom of heaven, to itself, euces of religion, not by revolt against in this case also to the wife who is tile recognized customs and established autho- happy instrument of saving her husband rity. Indeed, Christianity would introduce (comp. 1 Cor. ix. 19, 20). 'fho w01·d ren- an element of divizsion-1he Lord had said dered "conversation" here, as elsewhere, so (Luke xii. 51-53); families woulcl be means "conduct, behaviour." (Compare, on divided. It could not be otherwise; Chris- the wl.iole subject, the teaching of St. Paul, tiane must not set even family ties above the Eph. v. 22-2!; Col. iii.18; 1 'l'im. ii. 9-11.) love of Christ. But Christian wives must Ver, 2.-While they behold (see note on be peacemakers; they must, as far as pos- eh. ii. 12, where the same verb occurs) sible, live at P"ace even with unbelieving your chaste conversation coupled with fear; bt1ELa11tls. They would often have much ill Jitemlly, your c/taBle behavionr i11 fear. on. m. 1-22,] THE FJRS'r EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. U9