Troublesome Topic: What Is the Connection to a Husband’s Prayers? 1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3:7
Translation
Husbands likewise [have become sons of Abraham]
Go to footnote numberby living jointly with your wife in knowledge as with a weaker vessel, and by giving her the high value
Go to footnote numberdue her as joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers not be hindered.
Paraphrase
In the same way a husband has become the son of Abraham by living out his marriage relationship with his wife in a way that understands that she has certain weaknesses that he does not have, and by giving her the honor, respect and high value she deserves as someone who has also inherited God’s grace to live life as He designed. In all of this the husband needs to keep in mind that if he does not treat his wife well, God will not listen to him when he prays.
WHAT IS THE CONNECTOIN TO A HUSBAND’S PRAYERS?
God is over the man. He has granted a man authority over his wife and children. God wants the man to use the authority He has given him to glorify Him and make Him look good. This is a serious responsibility. If the man does not use his authority in a way that honors God, God will not grant him the desires of his heart because his heart is obviously going a different direction than God’s heart. Ps 46:10 says, “Take exquisite delight in YHVH and He will grant you the desires of your heart.” God will only grant our requests and give us what we desire if we have aligned out hearts with His so that we desire what He desires. A man’s use of authority is one of the things that demonstrates where his heart is. God is watching and will respond accordingly.
The next lesson is: No One Is Without an Authority Figure Over Them 1 Cor 11.
Footnotes
1
No punctuation was used in the original manuscripts so we are left to deduce where sentences stopped; usually this is done looking at the primary verbs because every sentence needs to have a primary verb that is stated or can easily be assumed. This verse contains only participles, not primary verbs, thus it appears that it is a continuation of the part about women in verses 1-6 (they used long sentences in Kione Greek). The words [have become sons of Abraham] can be assumed because of the construction of the sentence (which I have split up to make it read more easily in English).
2
Their word for “honor and respect” started out simply as the idea of “high value.” A husband should treasure his wife as a special gift of extremely high value. To treasure her in that way is to show her the honor and respect she deserves.