A Proper Relationship
1 Peter 3:7
Pastor Jerry Koller

What does Peter mean by “in the same way?”
· It is giving proper honor and respect.

The NIV says as you live with, while the NAS says live with. The word means dwelling with or living in wedlock with someone. It is referring to a side-by-side relationship that is unique to a husband and wife.

Notice how husbands are to live with their wives. The NIV says be considerate. The NAS is a bit more accurate in its translation. It says in an understanding way.
· Understanding comes from a word that means a knowing or knowledge.
· It is an objective knowledge, knowledge that is gleaned from first-hand experience.

The NIV goes on to say and treat them with respect…
· Such a phrase in actually not found in the verse.

Husbands are to live with their wives in an understanding way as the weaker partner (NIV). The NAS says, as with someone weaker (NAS).
· Weaker can be understood as both husband and wife being weak, the wife being weaker than the husband.
· Weaker is not a reference to being weaker morally, spiritually, or intellectually.
· The first meaning has to do with being weak or weakness in a physical sense. But in the New Testament the words are hardly ever used of purely physical weakness, but frequently in a comprehensive sense of the whole.

The NIV reads: weaker partner. The NAS reads: someone weaker. Both do not make reference to a word that is literally translated vessel. But the ESV does. Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (ESV)

Vessel can be understood in a number of ways.
· as an implement
· as goods
· as a container

"Vessel" was a common Greek metaphor for "body" since Greeks thought of souls living temporarily in bodies.

Let me point out one more distinction. The ESV and NAS both mention women in regard to being a weaker vessel. The NIV does not. However, the plural word for female is definitely in this verse.

The word heirs literally means joint-heirs, which reflects equality.
· They are joint-heirs of the grace of life. This may be understood as the gift of life itself. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27)
· Life can also be understood as eternal life, or salvation, for no one comes to God apart from grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.

They are to show such proper respect since their wives are joint-heirs with then of the grace of life, but also so that your prayers may not be hindered.

A healthy relationship with God depends on right relationships with others.

Giving honor and respect to those to whom honor and respect is due is a timeless principle.

It is still important for husbands and wives to live side-by-side the way God intends for them to live. As Genesis 2:24 points out, they become one flesh.

Living-side-by side provided numerous opportunities to help spouses understand what makes each other tick.

It is still important to be careful to not break one another’s spirit but to love and cherish each other.

· Sandi Starland is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
· Tom Craig & Family upon the death of his wife, Darlene, on 1/10.
· Tina Dell & Family upon the loss of her brother, Matt Chambers, on 1/7.
· Marge Benham is receiving therapy at The Timbers of Cass County care facility in Dowagiac as she recovers from surgery for two broken ankles. Marge has her cell phone and is able to receive calls and texts at 269-290-2498. Cards and visits are also welcomed. Visiting hours are 8am-5pm; sign in at the front desk; masks required. The address is: Marge Benham, Room 504 | c/o The Timbers of Cass County | 55432 Colby St. | Dowagiac, MI 49047.
· Roberta Newton is recovering at home following a procedure to repair a leaking blood vessel. Cards can be sent to Roberta Newton, P.O. Box 51, Palmadale FL 33944.
· Caroline Bocock received a really bad concussion on 11/5 while playing soccer. Doctors are concerned because she is still vomiting, dizzy, and having constant headaches. She has to see a Sports Medicine doctor before they will schedule a neurological appointment. Please pray that this appointment will be scheduled quickly and continue to pray for healing, wisdom for the doctors, and that the Lyme’s Disease hasn’t been triggered. Old symptoms are surfacing but can’t determine if they are concussion symptoms vs. Lyme’s symptoms because they are the same symptoms for both.
· Annette Koller is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
· Nolan Marshall (son of Dan & Tracy) has been having violent outbursts and is hospitalized until placement is available at a residential treatment center. Pray that a bed will become available soon. Also keep Dan, Tracy & Riley in prayer as his behavior affects all of them.
· Shannon French (son of Curt & Patty Bales) continues eye drop treatment for an infection. It looks the damaged part is creating new cells and hopefully healing.
· Joyce Bocock has completed chemo and radiation; praise God that both tumors have shrunk significantly more than expected; evaluating additional treatment options.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com