Reverence for God

“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives” (1 Peter 3:1).

What does “in the same way” refer to? We look back a few verses and read the rest of this verse to discover the answer.

• This verse gives a reason to submit: so that unbelieving spouses may be won over to Christ.
• In the previous section, Peter used the word “submit” in reference to slaves and masters.

“Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters” (1 Peter 2:18).

• The same word for “submit” is used in both verses.
• It means to “place under in an orderly fashion,” and Zodhiates also wrote God has ordained the relationship between husbands and wives.¹ [emphasis mine] Interesting.
• When I first read verse 1, it sounded as if this submission is an act of will.
• Zodhiates confirmed this with a reference to Ephesians 5:21,¹
• “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
• Men and women are created equal but different in role, function, and responsibility.
• When we willingly place ourselves in our God-ordained role, we work together with God to accomplish His goals.

*What does it mean to submit to a spouse?

*How does this verse apply if our husband is a believer?

*Why do we submit to one another, and what does this mean?

 Unbelievers—in this case, husbands—are not only disobedient to God’s Word, they do not allow themselves to believe.²

Peter encouraged wives to convince their husbands to believe, not through preaching or instruction, but through the way they live.

In this way, the unbelieving husband will be “won over” to Christ, for his spiritual gain.

*Why does the way we live make such a difference?

 “when they see the purity and reverence of your lives” (1 Peter 3:2).

• Not only do the husbands see the wives’ behavior, the noticeable difference (compared to the world) is such that they contemplate it.
• To contemplate is to think about what is observed.
• Our lives will demonstrate fear of God, reverence, respect, and honor for God.
  
• The same word is used for “reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21), “reverent fear of God” (1 Peter 2:18), and “reverence” (1 Peter 3:2).

Sounds like something we need to learn more about.

• Reverence means to have deep respect, love, and awe for someone.
• Respect adds the concept of having deep admiration for someone.
• Merriam-Webster adds that respect is an “act of giving particular attention.”³
• We honor God when we treat Him with admiration and respect.
• Merriam-Webster adds that we would also “give special recognition to” [God].

*Whose life have you observed and contemplated to learn more about how to live for God?

Wow. We need a graphic organizer to help us remember and apply. Since HTML is Greek to me, bullet points will have to do.

• To show reverence for Christ in our lives is both the reason why and how we submit to one another.
• We respect God.
• We are in awe of God.
• We love God (“with all your heart and with all your would and with all your mind” Jesus, Matthew 22:37).
• We deeply admire God.⁴
• We give God particular attention. Imagine that. It’s like turning Rueben Welch’s affirming words to others back to God: “I see You, I hear You, I know You are there.”⁵ We learned earlier that’s what fear of God is all about.⁶
• We honor God.
• We treat God with respect (which is a separate research activity!).
• We give special recognition to God. My paper and online notes recognizing God are good, but I think there’s more to it than that.

*Who do you admire and why? How can you apply this to your relationship with God?

*What does it mean to give someone particular attention?

*What do we do when we treat someone with respect?

*How can we give special recognition to God?

 We have more than enough to ponder for this week!

If we practice reverence for God in our daily lives, submission to _____ (fill in the blank) will fall into place.

If we reverence God, we have hope for everything else.

Did I already give you the link for this new song, “First Things First”? A great reminder.

*How can we put God first in our lives?

*What is one thing you can do to practice reverence for God this week?

 

1. Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 1427-1428.
2. Zodhiates, 208-209.
3. Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/
4. Allen Arnold writes about God being the Creator of all things and therefore the “expert,” One who can be admired. https://www.withallen.com/
5. Reuben Welch, We Really Do Need Each Other. (Nashville: Generoux Nelson, 1973), 111.
6. Matt Hannan, referenced in blog post http://www.tracieheskett.com/birthday-gifts-from-jesus/
7. Consumed by Fire, “First Things First” (Red Street Records, July 14, 2022).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je1yA9rKhtE