The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 166

Vers. 1-7.-Subfection of wives to their husbands, with subjoined injunction to husbands. I. SU11JEOTION OF WIVES TO THEIR HUSBANDS. 1. Duty stated. " In liko manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands." The space which. is here given to wives, especially in comparison with what is given to husbands, points to the great influence of women in the early Christian Uhurch. The injunction to wives comes under the being subject to every ordinance of man (eh. ii. 13). Christianity was to be advanced by the subjection of Christians to magistrates placed over them. It was also to be advanced by the subjection of Christian slaves (who were compara- tively numerous) to their masters. In like manner it was to be advanced by the subjection of Christian wives (who were comparatively numerous) to their husbands. The duty of subjection is here stated without limitation (which is only introduced in the following verse). It is, however, to be borne in mind that all the s11bjection enjoined is for the Lord's salce (eh. ii. 13), so that we have virtually here Paul's injunction in Eph. v. 22, "Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.'' The subjection of wives is founded on an appointed superiority of husbands to their wives. It is not that wives belong to their husbands; for husbands also belong to their wives (Eph. v. 28). There is a very great amount of equality between wives and their husbands; there is the closest of companionships in married life. But in the interest of order in family life, rnle must be placed somewhere; and so it ha!i been placed by God in the hands of those whose duty it is to provide for the main- tenance and comfort of their wives. Where, then, there is a difference of judgment in connection with the joint management of a household (which ought not very often to occur), it is the duty of the wife to subject her will to the will of her husband. 2. Wives in a special situation. "That, even if any obey not the Word, they may without the Word be gained by the behaviour of their wives." Subjection is due in every case, even in so unfavourable a case as that which is now to be dealt with. This was the not unfrequent case (all the more, therefore, calling for apostolic legislation) of Christian wives having heathen husbands. We are not to understand the.t it was open for Christian women to take heathen husbands; but after me.rriage it might be.ppen (more than the converse) that the wives were converted to Christianity, wh~e their husbands remained in heathenism. The principle of the apostolic legislation 1s that, even in an unfavourable position, subjection is due. It is implied that wives, when converted, would seek to gain their husbands by the Word. That would be the prompting both of natural affection and of Christian compassion. They could not keep !,PETER, M  162 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETEH, [cu. m. 1-22,