That Your Prayers Be Not Hindered

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
1 Peter 3:7

Peter devoted six verses to the wife, and now, one verse to the husband. However, he packed a lot into this one verse, concluding with, that your prayers be not hindered.

Again, this passage deals with the relationship between a husband and his wife. Knowing their preponderant tendency to rule their wives as a superior to an inferior, Peter compels the men to give honor to their wives, as the weaker vessel.

How is "honor" used in the Bible? We are called to honor God, children are commanded to honor their parents; Joseph was honored by Pharaoh and became the second in command in all of Egypt.

Here are a few of the definitions of honor from Webster's Dictionary: a : good name or public esteem : b : a showing of usually merited respect, 2: privilege, 3 : a person of superior standing, 4 : one whose worth brings respect or fame, 5: an evidence or symbol of distinction: as a : an exalted title or rank.

How is the woman the weaker vessel? God is in no way implying that the woman is a lesser being than the man. If God really intended to have men arrogantly rule over their wives, it seems unusual that He would command the men to give honor to their wives. God is simply pointing out the difference between the masculinity of men and the femininity of women. Here is a quote from an article I found on a website entitled, The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

The point of the passages in 1 Peter and Judges is not that women are physically inferior or that they lack strength. To the contrary, women possess considerable strength -- as any husband will testify after witnessing his wife give birth. The point is that women possessing true femininity understand that being a weaker vessel means being submissive and obedient to their husbands' strong leadership. Acknowledging biblical masculinity and femininity in action proves to be difficult for both men and women. Nonetheless, the Creator's intent is clear, as is the creation's responsibility.

There is the true relationship between the husband and wife. The woman submits to her husband, and the husband honors his wife; they are heirs together of the grace of life. Why is it so important that each person is obedient to God's order in the family? That your prayers be not hindered.

Pray that God will give you the grace to honor your wife (husbands) and submit to your husbands (wives) that your prayers be not hindered.