I'm not sure if this belongs in Bible Chat, but it does relate to the family. Please discuss the meaning of this scripture, especially the first part:

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Thanks!

I rarely, if ever, like to quote from the NIV but I understand it crystal clear when I read the NIV's version of this text.

It says

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.


It means that husbands should watch out for their wives and live with them in sanctity and holiness. If you live together under God's umbrella of grace, and are as one before Him, you won't feel ackward praying together and the love you have for each other, expounded by the mutual love you both have for God, will deepen and solidify your prayers, making them powerful and ready to tear down strongholds - quite the opposite of hinderances.

The NKJV just totally drew me a blank for this verse. The NIV opened my understanding like sunshine through a window blind. :o First time that's ever happened for me with NIV as opposed to the NKJV. Maybe it's not terrible after all? :cool:

A great reply above. I hope to be able to join in a discussion later, it's lunch time here - wife calling. The 'weaker vessel' needs looking at. Scripture is often used to put women down - mainly by men. The true value and gifts in God's plan can and should never be under estimated. How many churches would be in a very poor state - without their backbone of God fearing women. SofTy.

SofTy dear, did you have time to study this passage anymore?

The following is a comment by Mathew Henry. That thought of "maintaining her authority" in connection with her being the weaker vessel leads me to consider the husbands duty in making sure the children obey their mother.


The husband's duty to the wife implies giving due respect unto her, and maintaining her authority, protecting her, and placing trust in her. They are heirs together of all the blessings of this life and that which is to come, and should live peaceably one with another. Prayer sweetens their converse. And it is not enough that they pray with the family, but husband and wife together by themselves, and with their children. Those who are acquainted with prayer, find such unspeakable sweetness in it, that they will not be hindered therein. That you may pray much, live holily; and that you may live holily, be much in prayer.—Matthew Henry Concise

In this egalitarian age the idea of being the "weaker vessel is repugnant to most women, yet it is a fact. The differences between men and women is so much more than the obvious. I know I need my husbands protection not only physically, but also mentally. While I tend to respond to issues emotionally (which is how God made us) I much appreciate and need his logical input. If that makes me sound like a weaker vessel than that's OK by me.

I had a slightly different interpretation of this verse (as I am currently suffering through it due to an issue with my marriage), based on the scripture where Christ said that if you are going to give your offering to God, but you have something against your brother, leave your offering at the altar and go clear the issue up with him...then come back and make your offering to God.

That, plus the wording of this verse has always lead me to believe that if you and your spouse are having significant "issues" your prayer (offering) before God is hindered, (maybe not cut off completely, just not as effective), because God sees you and your spouse as a single, unified flesh, and if there is disharmony in that relationship, your harmony with God will likewise be disrupted.

So with the issue that I'm having with my wife currently, I've cut back on my involvement in the church, not feeling qualified to do some of the things I do, and this past Christmas Day service we have, I passed on communion since Scripture plainly states that you shouldn't partake if there is something between you and God...you should get it right first.

Thank you both for your input. I'm glad I checked back. My mom got me a book called The Love Dare for Christmas & we started reading that together this week. The first lesson is on patience ;-)

That, plus the wording of this verse has always lead me to believe that if you and your spouse are having significant "issues" your prayer (offering) before God is hindered, (maybe not cut off completely, just not as effective), because God sees you and your spouse as a single, unified flesh, and if there is disharmony in that relationship, your harmony with God will likewise be disrupted.

I think you're exactly right here, Angyl.

"since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered." (RSV-CE is the Bible I use.)

Since husband and wife are no longer two but now one flesh, if there is something suffering or deficient in the wife, then it will also hinder the grace the husband is receiving. I suppose that the reverse is also true. So St. Peter is telling the husbands to take very good care of their wives, lift them up so they can be at their best and how God wants them to be. Thus by edifying her he is edifying himself and the graces they both receive from God will be more abundant.

What do you guys think the "weaker vessel" part means?

What do you guys think the "weaker vessel" part means?

Ok,AK,anytime you want to answer,we're waiting :spin:

Ok,AK,anytime you want to answer,we're waiting :spin:

Haha is this where I should flex my muscles? :D

Ok,AK,anytime you want to answer,we're waiting :spin:

Women, by nature, are physically weaker. It's not that women have been viewed as home makers instead of hunters because of some patriarchal viewpoint - it's because throughout history, women have been physically weaker.

This whole idea that patriarchy says women should be protected is absurd. After all, if men and women were intrinsically equal in physical strength, then how did men ever overpower women and convince them into staying at home while the men went on hunting parties or worked in the field?

It's a difficult concept for us to grasp today in the modern West. We have taken equality to mean something it's not. We think equality means, "equal in every way." Biblically, equality simply means we're equally saved and ontologically equal. Men aren't more important than women or better, they are just stronger and called upon to be the protector.

Always the serious one,you are:P

Women, by nature, are physically weaker. It's not that women have been viewed as home makers instead of hunters because of some patriarchal viewpoint - it's because throughout history, women have been physically weaker.

This whole idea that patriarchy says women should be protected is absurd. After all, if men and women were intrinsically equal in physical strength, then how did men ever overpower women and convince them into staying at home while the men went on hunting parties or worked in the field?

It's a difficult concept for us to grasp today in the modern West. We have taken equality to mean something it's not. We think equality means, "equal in every way." Biblically, equality simply means we're equally saved and ontologically equal. Men aren't more important than women or better, they are just stronger and called upon to be the protector.


Equality in the fact that we're all sinners and have the same Saviour - in other areas the key word is complementary. It is sin that has created the "war between the sexes".

Always the serious one,you are:P

I have a very dry and sarcastic sense of humor, which really doesn't come across well on the boards. It makes me look like more of a jerk than I already am.


Equality in the fact that we're all sinners and have the same Saviour - in other areas the key word is complementary. It is sin that has created the "war between the sexes".

How dare you use the chauvinistic standards of the Biblical culture to say that the genders were created to "compliment" each other! That's soooo patriarchal of you!


See what I mean? My sarcasm/dryness just doesn't translate well - someone could actually take my comment above seriously.

Women, by nature, are physically weaker.

Wanna arm wrestle?

I know what you mean, you have to actually see my facial expressions to see where I am coming from sometimes.

Women, by nature, are physically weaker. It's not that women have been viewed as home makers instead of hunters because of some patriarchal viewpoint - it's because throughout history, women have been physically weaker.

This whole idea that patriarchy says women should be protected is absurd. After all, if men and women were intrinsically equal in physical strength, then how did men ever overpower women and convince them into staying at home while the men went on hunting parties or worked in the field?

It's a difficult concept for us to grasp today in the modern West. We have taken equality to mean something it's not. We think equality means, "equal in every way." Biblically, equality simply means we're equally saved and ontologically equal. Men aren't more important than women or better, they are just stronger and called upon to be the protector.

Well, there is no doubt that women are physically weaker. I work in a typically male profession, and I know first-hand that women are not physically equipped to do everything that a man can do. There are many things that I can do just as well as my co-workers, but there are just some tasks to which I just have to step aside, and let the guys take over.

Even so, there are 2 types of strength....physical, and mental....and as far as the latter is concerned, women can be just as strong as men, given the right environmental and psychological factors.

That being said, do you believe that this Scripture is speaking about physical factors, or spiritual ones? We all know that the man is to be the head of the wife...Is this because the man is stronger than the woman, and if so, is it physical or spiritual strength?

Well, there is no doubt that women are physically weaker. I work in a typically male profession, and I know first-hand that women are not physically equipped to do everything that a man can do. There are many things that I can do just as well as my co-workers, but there are just some tasks to which I just have to step aside, and let the guys take over.

Even so, there are 2 types of strength....physical, and mental....and as far as the latter is concerned, women can be just as strong as men, given the right environmental and psychological factors.

That being said, do you believe that this Scripture is speaking about physical factors, or spiritual ones? We all know that the man is to be the head of the wife...Is this because the man is stronger than the woman, and if so, is it physical or spiritual strength?

Traditionally, men have been more stoical in their approach. This is why in ancient times, mourners were often women (not to say men didn't cry - women just cried louder). Though we've manipulated gender roles in modern society, men (in a historical sense) tended to be more rational and women more emotional. Neither one is better than the other and both are appropriate for certain situations. Both are needed in life (hence the emphasis on having both a father and mother in a family situation).

But when it comes to guiding a ship, do you want the person who is more rational or emotional guiding it? I think Peter might be referring to that.