The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 169

what was to be avoided in Sara.h as a model. On the occnsion referred to she was nrnde afraid by her evil-doing (la.ughing at the first mention of a child), and by her fear was led into more sin (in denying that she laughed), thus bringing shame not only on herself, but on her husband. Holy women will not thus compromise their husbands, but, mindful of what is due to them, will concur with them, where the blessing promised to faith is to be obtained. II. SUBJOINED INJUNCTION TO HUSDANDS. 1. Duty. "Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honour unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life." Having dwelt at length (in the interest of Christianity) on the subjection of wives, he feels it necessary to subjoin an injunction to husbands, which he did not feel it to be necessary in the case of magistrates and of masters (few of those being connected with the Christian Church). It is not said that husbands are in like manner to be subject; the likeness can only, therefore, refer to what lies over against the subjection. As subject, the woman is weak-the weaker vessel, not so strong as the man. In this lies a. danger to the woman-the danger of being trampled upon. Hence the need of husbands being enlightened in their treatment of their wives. "Dwell with according to knowledge as with the weaker vessel the womanly," is the literal translation and the proper connec- tion. Weakness in the woman calls for knowledge in the man. He is to love, says the Apostle Paul; and the idea. is similar here. He is to act according to knowledge, i.e. of the Divine intention or order. He is to put his strength at the service of love, with bis strength shielding her weakness and (generally) promoting her good. It is under this enlightenedness that honour comes. Honour is to be paid by husbands to their wives (both being regarded as Christians) on the ground that they are also J°oint-heirs o.f the grace of life. They a.re even, as we would seem to be taught here, to be honoured on the ground of nature. "God bath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.n But they are also to be honoured as heirs together of the grace of life, i.e. as honoured participators (for inheriting here points to honour) with their husbands in the grace that is needed for life or that makes life a blessing, both here and hereafter, It is only in the earthly sphere of things (which is also temporary) that there is not perfect equality; in the heavenly sphere there is no difference. Women stand in the same relation to God, have the same unction on their life, look forward to the same eternal home es their husbands, and by this consideration the honour otherwise due to them and to be apportioned to them must be regarded as greatly heightened. 2. Motive. "To the end that your prayers be not hindered." The duty enjoined must be attended to by husbands, that the prayers offered by them with their wives, and as heads of the household, be not hindered. There is a pointing to this that "the prayers of families are as often defeated by the want of any such concert in the aims, plans, tempers, works, and aspirations of the house, as are necessary to a common suit before God. The prayers should agree with as many other prayers and as many other circles of causes as possible; for God is work- ing always towards the largest harmony, and will not favour, therefore, the prayer of words when everything else in the life is demanding something else, but will rather have respect to what has the widest reach of things and persons making suit with it. At this latter point it is that prayers most commonly fail, viz. that they are solitary and contrary, having nothing put in agreement with them; as if some one person should be praying for fair weather, when everybody else wants rain, and the gaping earth and thirsty animals and withering trees are all asking for it together. What is p ayed for in the house by the father is-how commonly I-not prayed for by the mother in her family tastes and tempers, and is even prayed against, in fact, by all the instigations of appearance and pride and show which are raised by her motherly studies and cares. The father prays in the morning that his children may grow up in th4i Lord, and calls it even the principal good of their life that they are to be Chris- tians, living to God and for the world to come. Then he goes out into the field, or the 111,op, or the house of trade, and bis plans and works pull exactly contrary to the pull of his prayers and all his teaching in religion. What is wanted, therefore, is to put ali. the causes, all the prayers, iuto a common strain of endeavour, reaching after a common. good in God and Lb friend6hip" (Bushuell).-R. F.  CH. m. 1-22.J THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 185