1 Peter 3:7 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.
After speaking to wives, Peter now turns to offering advice to husbands. He says several important things that husbands should consider that may help to strengthen their marriages. He starts off with “likewise.” There is a mutuality in marriage where a husband and wife must respond in the same say as Jesus did, which is described at the end of chapter 2. Both a husband and wife should live and submit in the same way as Jesus who set the example for everyone. The first thing husbands should do is simply to consider them. The NIV takes some liberty in the word “considerate.” The ESV says ” live with your wives in an understanding way.” The Greek is literally “living according to knowledge.” Another way to say this is to be aware of our wives. Think about them. Take their needs into consideration. How should husbands do this? By treating them like a precious treasure that we protect and care for. Women are not weak and fragile, but husbands should treat wives as if they were their most treasured possession. Why? Because wives are a gift from God and they share in the gift of eternal life with us. There is nothing more special in life that to have a wife who is also your sister in Christ who spurs you on to eternal life. If we treat our wives in any less way, our prayers will be hindered. How or why? Because we are self-focused and selfish. We are not loving and submitting like Jesus did as described at the end of chapter 2.
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