God's Word to husbands, "here's how to live with your wife"

See 1st Peter 3:7.

1st Peter 3:7 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.

Here, Peter is including the husbands, to live and act in the same way as the wives, and the servants whom he had addressed earlier in the 2nd chapter. The main idea had been to live in a humble, and respectful way to those around you, especially towards those God had placed in leadership roles. 

Thus he uses the word likewise. Of course, simply meaning, in the same way, or equally. In other words, there was something said to the wives, and now in the same way, here's God's Word to the husbands....

He says a number of things to them.

Dwell with them with understanding, or in an understanding way, or be considerate of your wives. Recognize who they are in a respectful way. That's the first thing. Be understanding toward you wife. 

Then, giving honor to the wife. Or value your wife, defer to her, respect her, reverence her. Recognizing that ( physically she is weaker ) then you are. Be respectful to your wife. 

Lastly, he says, ( making a statement about both ) that the husband and wife are joint heirs together of the grace of life. He is apparently speaking here to a couple, where both the husband and the wife are saved, and walking with the Lord. They each share in this position of being heirs together of God's grace. He is calling them to recognize what God has made them both to be and His children. 

In his very last remark, he mentions that prayer can be hindered between a husband and wife. That is, if the man will love and serve his wife, they could pray together. But, it's hard to pray together, when your not together with your wife on the basic level of respect and love. Lack of understanding and respect towards you wife will make it difficult to pray together. Perhaps mostly for her. She would not be inclined to want to pray with her husband. But, she would be, if she is being loved and cared for properly. 

May God give continued blessing to you, and help you to enjoy your marriage, and be a blessing to one another. In Jesus name, Pastor Bob Grenier

Application/Promises

1. Husband and wives can live in peace and joy.

2. It takes the Lord to make the difference.

3. He will do it if you let Him.

4. Humility and service to each other are key.

5. Husband and wives are to serve each other.

6. Joy comes through obedience to God's Word. 

7. May your prayers be blessed by God.