UNDERSTANDING PETER’S RECIPROCAL ETHIC IN 1 PETER 3:7 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

Abstract

The question of reciprocal ethic is also the question of the vital meaningfulness of submission among the couples within the family. The first-century Graeco-Roman household was described in terms of the head of the family. The husband had maximum and total control of the household including the power of granting life or death. He possessed the ultimate social and legal standing in the family and held authority over his wife, children and property. A woman was considered a thing in Jewish culture; she was owned by her husband in exactly the same way he owed his sheep and goats. This article examines the understanding of Peter’s reciprocal ethic in 1 Peter 3:7and its implications for Christian families. The study adopts expositional and analytical methods using the secondary source of data. This paper reveals that a comprehensive understanding, imagination and objective assessment of 1 Peter 3:7 bring out the meaning and relevance of reciprocal submissiveness in Christian families. This paper establishes that women are together heirs... of the gracious gift of life and the husbands should live with them according to knowledge. Apostle Peter stresses spiritual equality of both husband and wife before God and that a Christian husband’s spiritual relationship with God is directly affected by the way he treats his wife. The paper contributes to knowledge by revealing that, submission in Christian family should be reciprocal. The article, therefore, recommended that every Christian husbands should live with their wives with understanding and honour as heirs together of the grace of life so that their prayer will not be hindered.