Peter’s Instruction to Husbands Brian R. Kenyon

 Peter put it this way, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with 

them [your wives] 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” (1 Pet. 3:7). The word translated “dwell [live, ESV]” is from a word (sunoikeo, 

συνοικέω) that means to live with, live together. This 

word is found nowhere else in the New Testament. 

Peter gave four ways, husbands are to live with 

their wives. First, husbands must live with their wives 

intellectually. The word translated “understanding 

[knowledge, KJV; from gnosis, γνωσις]” refers to 

knowledge; understanding or consideration (2 Pet. 

1:5-6; 3:18). A husband must not only understand 

his God-given role as the head of his family (Eph. 

5:25-33), but he must also know his wife. He must 

use every available tool, including the Bible, to help 

him get to know his wife (her likes, dislikes, etc.). 

Second, husbands must live with their wives honorably. “Giving honor [showing honor, ESV]” carries 

the idea of the husband showing his wife respect. He 

must praise the good character of his wife, like the 

writer of Proverbs, who penned, “Many daughters 

have done well, But you excel them all” (Pr. 31:29). 

Third, husbands must live with their wives physically. “Weaker vessel [someone weaker, NAS95]” 

indicates, generally speaking, that women are physically weaker than men. “Weaker” (from asthenes, 

ἀσθενής) usually means sick; weak (Mt. 25:43; Lk. 

9:2; Acts 4:9), but it can also mean delicate, as in 

parts of the body (Rom. 5:6; 1 Thes. 5:14). “Vessel” 

(from skeuos, σκεũος) refers to an object, thing (plural often goods, property); vessel, container, dish; 

instrument (Acts 9:15); one’s body or one’s wife (1 

Thes. 4:4). The husband needs to “carry the physical 

weight” of the marriage by protecting his wife, providing for her physical needs, and making her life as 

less stressful as possible! Fourth, husbands must live 

with their wives spiritually. Peter’s declaration of 

their “being heirs together [fellow heirs, KJV] of the 

grace of life” indicates that wives are spiritual equals 

with their husbands. Both are made in the image and 

likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-27), and Christ died for 

them both (Mt. 20:28). Although they have different 

roles in the home (Eph. 5:22-33) and church (1 Tim. 

2:8-15), both men and women will receive the same 

“grace of life,” if they are faithful to the Lord (cf. 2 

Tim. 4:7-8; Rev. 2:10). Paul put it this way, “There 

is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor 

free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all 

one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).

The seriousness of the husband’s role is seen in 

the ending clause, “that your prayers may not be 

hindered” (1 Pet. 3:7b). The word from which “hindered” (egkopto, ἐγκόπτω) is translated means to cut 

in on; prevent, hinder; detain (Acts 24:4; Rom. 15:4; 

Gal. 5:7; 1 Thes. 2:18). Sin is the only thing that hinders prayers (cf. Isa. 1:15; 59:1-2; Jn. 9:31)! Thus, 

not fulfilling these God-given ways in which a husband should live with his wife is sin