1 Peter 3:7

{6} Likewise, ye husbands, {c} dwell with them according to {d} knowledge, {7} giving {e} honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker {f} vessel, {8} and as being heirs together of the {g} grace of life; {9} that your prayers be not hindered. (6) He also teaches husbands their duties, that is, that the more understanding and wisdom they have, the more wisely and circumspectly they behave themselves. (c) Do all the duties of wedlock. (d) The more wisdom the husband has, the more circumspectly he must behave himself in bearing those inconveniences, which through the woman's weakness often cause trouble both to the husband and the wife. (7) The second argument: because the wife nonetheless is weaker by nature than the man, she is an excellent instrument of the man, made for far more excellent uses: upon which it follows that she is not therefore to be neglected, because she is weak, but on the contrary she ought to be so much more cared for. (e) Having an honest care for her. (f) The woman is called a vessel after the manner of the Hebrews, because the husband uses her as his friend and helper, to live faithfully before God. (8) The third argument: for that they are equal in that which is the most important (that is to say, in the benefit of eternal life) who otherwise are unequal concerning the leadership and conduct at home, and therefore they are not to be despised although they are weak. (g) Of that gracious and free benefit, by which we have everlasting life given to us. (9) T

1 Peter 3:7 . Likewise, ye husbands — See on Ephesians 5:25 ; Colossians 3:19 ; dwell with them — Conduct yourselves toward them, according to knowledge — Wisely and discreetly; suitably to that knowledge of your duty which you have obtained by the gospel: or, knowing they are weak, and therefore to be used with tenderness: yet do not despise them for this, but give them honour — Both in heart and in your behaviour toward them, as those who are called to be joint-heirs of that eternal life which ye and they hope to receive by the free grace of God. “In Scripture, honour is sometimes used for maintenance, because to supply any one with the necessaries and conveniences of life was considered, in ancient times, as doing him honour. Accordingly the Greeks, in reward of eminent services done to the community, decreed maintenance at the public expense to those who had performed these services. By assigning as the reason why honour should be given to the wife, that she is weaker than the husband, in body or person, (as the word σκευος , vessel, here seems to mean,) the apostle hath intimated, not only that he ought to afford her a competent share of the necessaries and conveniences of life, but as much relief from bodily labour as his circumstances will allow: all which is most reasonable, considering the many bodily troubles women are subject to, in the breeding, bearing, and nursing of children.” That your prayers be not hindered — On the one part or the other.

According to knowledge With an intelligent recognition of the nature of the marriage relation. The woman (τῷ γυναικείῳ) Not a noun, however, as would appear from the ordinary rendering, but an adjective, agreeing with σκεύει, vessel, as does also ἀσθενεστέρῳ, weaker. Both are attributes of vessel; the female vessel as weaker. So Rev., in margin. Vessel (σκεύει) Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:4. The primary idea of vessel, which is formed from the Latin vasellum, the diminutive of vas, a vase, is that of the receptacle which covers and contains; the case or protecting cover. Hence it is allied, etymologically, with vest, vestment, and wear. It is used in the New Testament (1) in the sense of a cup or dish (Luke 8:16; John 19:29; 2 Timothy 2:20; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 18:12). (2) Of the man, as containing the divine energy, or as a subject of divine mercy or wrath, and hence becoming a divine instrument. Thus Paul is a chosen vessel to bear God's name (Acts 9:15). Vessels of wrath (Romans 9:22); of mercy (Romans 9:23). So of the woman, as God's instrument, along with man, for his service in the family and in society. (3) Collectively, in the plural, of all the implements of any particular economy, as a house, or a ship. Matthew 12:29, goods; Acts 27:17, the tackling or gear of a ship. Giving (ἀπονέμοντες) Only here in New Testament. The word means, literally, to portion out, and is appropriate to the husband as controlling what is to be meted out to the wife.

Hindered (ἐγκόπτεσθαι) So A. V. and Rev., and the best texts, and the majority of commentators. The word means, literally, to knock in; make an incision into; and hence, generally, to hinder or thwart (Galatians 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18). Some, however, read ἐκκόπτεσθαι, to cut off or destroy.

1 Peter 3:7 . Ὁμοίως , in like manner ) The likeness does not refer to special duties, some of which belong to the wife, and others to the husband; but to the foundation of love: thus, in like manner , ch. 1 Peter 5:5 .— γυῶσιν , knowledge ) The master shows gentleness , ch. 1 Peter 2:18 ; the husband γυῶσιν . Γνῶσις , which has regard to the weaker vessel , implies moderation , and produces γνώμην [ judgment, kindly judiciousness, friendly advice ]; respecting which word, see 1 Corinthians 7:25 , note. Therefore it excludes all violence, by which the weaker are struck with terror [ 1 Peter 3:6 ], especially that caused by anger. Adam furnished a remarkable example of the dominion exercised by a husband tempered with moderation, who himself gave name to his wife, and gave her the power of naming her children.— ὡς , as ) It is twice used here: in the former place it refers to γνώσιν , moderation ; in the other, to τιμὴν , honour . The weakness of the vessel requires moderation; the inheritance enjoins honour (which implies more).— ἀσθενεστέρῳ , to the weaker ) The comparative: even the man has weakness .— σκεύει , vessel ) This denotes the sex and entire disposition and temperament of woman.— τῷ γυναικείῳ ) Τὸ γυναικεῖον , absolutely: that is, women.— ἀπονέμοντες τιμὴν , giving honour ) This is said in accordance with the command, that women should be in subjection .

Comp. ch. 1 Peter 2:17 .— τιμὴν , honour ) viz. that of a just opinion respecting them, of kindness, and of a chaste conversation. Comp. in honour , 1 Thessalonians 4:4 .— συγκληρονόμοι ) Others read συγκληρονόμοις :[25] but the apostle is prescribing to husbands their duties towards their wives of whatever character, even towards those who do not believe the word. Comp. 1 Peter 3:1 . See App. Crit. Ed. ii. on this passage.— συγκληρονόμοι , joint-heirs ) Heirs together with other believers. The reason why the husband ought to show moderation towards the wife, is derived from the weakness of the wife ; the reason why the husband ought to give honour to the wife, is derived from the fact, that God also gives honour to the man, as to an heir. The hope of eternal glory makes men noble-minded and mild. There is a similar argument shortly afterwards in 1 Peter 3:9 , Bless, inasmuch as ye are called to inherit a blessing. The nominative case, joint-heirs , elegantly corresponds with the word dwelling together with them. Husbands are said to be joint-heirs , not with their wives, but with all the faithful.

Dwell with them; perform all matrimonial duties to them; by a synecdoche, all the duties of that relation are contained under this one of cohabitation. According to knowledge; either, according to that knowledge of the Divine will, which by the gospel ye have obtained; or, prudently and wisely, and as becomes those that understand their duty. Giving honour unto the wife; not despising them because of their weakness, or using them as slaves, but respecting them, caring for them, {as Matthew 15:6 1 Timothy 5:3} using them gently, covering their infirmities. As unto the weaker vessel; weaker than the husbands, and that both in body and mind, as women usually are. In Scripture any instrument is called a vessel, and the wife is here called so, as being not only an ornament, but a help to the husband and family, Genesis 2:18 . This he adds as a reason why the husband should give honour to the wife, viz. her being the weaker vessel; weak vessels must be gently handled; the infirmities of children bespeak their pardon when they offend; and those members of the body which we think less honourable, on them we bestow more abundant honour, 1 Corinthians 12:23 . It is a part of that prudence according to which men should dwell with their wives, to have the more regard to them because of their infirmities, (in bearing with them and hiding them), lest they should be discouraged, if they find their weakness makes them contemptible.

And as being heirs together: another reason why husbands should give honour to their wives, viz. because though by nature they are weak and unequal to their husbands, yet they are equal to them in respect of their being called to the same grace and glory, there being neither male nor female in Christ, Galatians 3:28 . Of the grace of life; i.e. eternal life, which is the gift of grace; or, is to be given out of grace. That your prayers be not hindered; either, that ye be not diverted and hindered from praying; or, that the efficacy of your prayers be not hindered, viz. by those contentions and differences which are like to arise, if you do not dwell with your own wives according to knowledge, and give them the honour that belongs to them.