I Peter 3:7 … the part of the verse that is puzzling to me, is that I am a weaker vessel. How am I weaker? Is this physical, emotional or spiritual. I have been married for 24 years, have 3 grown children that are all presently faithful members (ages 23, 22, 20). I am faithful a Bible class teacher, and still I feel like I don’t measure up to a good mark. Am I really just a second class citizen because I am a woman. Does God think less of women than men, and is it society today that drums it into women that they are something that matters in this world? ~ Cynthia Davis, Sandyville, WV
First Peter 3:7 reads, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” There are several observations I would like to make about this verse as we endeavor to answer the question posed above.
The first seven verses of First Peter Three address marriage partners, with the first six verses dedicated to the wife. Verse seven instructs the husband to conduct himself charitably toward his wife. In this sense, 1 Peter 3:1-7 compares to passages elsewhere that regulate the spousal relationship (Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19). In each of these three passages, the husband is cited as the head of the wife, meaning as much as anything else that he is the one responsible to God for the well being of the family. Therefore, the respective, God-given roles of men and women are included in these spousal references.
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God … For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man” (1 Corinthians 11:3 8-9).
Nothing uncomplimentary is included or intended in 1 Peter 3:7. Contrariwise, the intent was to protect and cherish the woman or wife.
The word “weaker” literally means “strengthless” and is used in 1 Peter 3:7 for comparative purposes to the male counterpart. That is, men are usually (not always) physically stronger than women. Then, comparatively, women ordinarily are physically weaker than men.
WEAK, WEAKENED, WEAKER, WEAKNESS 1 Peter 3:7 … (comparative degree … (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers) [emphasis added, ler]
… not for intellectual or moral weakness, but purely for physical reasons, which the husband must recognize with due consideration for marital happiness … (Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft & Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament. Copyright (c) 1985 by Broadman Press)
The word “vessel” can mean a “tool” or a “helper.” This usage conforms to the purpose for which God created woman. “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). [emphasis added, ler]
… in the Greek classics was that of an instrument; a helper; one who was employed by another to accomplish anything, or to aid him (Passow), and it seems probable that this was the reason why the term was given to the wife. Compare Gen 2:18. The reason here assigned for the honor that was to be shown to the wife is, that she is “the weaker vessel.” By this it is not necessarily meant that she is of feebler capacity, or inferior mental endowments, but that she is more tender and delicate; more subject to infirmities and weaknesses; less capable of enduring fatigue and toil … As such, she should be regarded and treated with special kindness and attention. (Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
In a transferred sense some people are the tools of others … (Kittel, Gerhard, and Friedrich, Gerhard, Editors, The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company) 1985)
The usual physiological differences between men and women are typically acknowledged throughout various aspects of life without the fact of those physiological differences adversely affecting the worth of women. Frankly, every distinction between the sexes and subsequent attention to that distinction (e.g., different public accommodations, women’s sports, bearing children, domestic duties, etc.) speaks to the distinctions in design by God and variation of male and female roles.
Modern women resent such a view as this; but the unanimous opinion of all mankind for centuries confirms it as a fact. Plato said, “Lighter tasks are to be given to women than to men because of the weakness of their sex”; and as long as golf courses have one set of rules for men and another for women, every country club on earth bears continual witness to it. In those lands where women do not enjoy the chivalrous preference and honor which Christianity has brought to them, their status is invariably one of progressive reduction and oppression. In turning away from Christianity and staking all of their hopes upon a newly won legal status, the great mass of womankind will eventually find that they have been woefully short-changed and cheated. (James Burton Coffman Bible Study Library, New Testament, CD-ROM, n.d.)
Jesus is subject to the Godhead and respective roles incur. Man is subject to Christ and each enjoys distinctive roles. Woman is subject to man (i.e., in the home and in the church) with a distinction in roles or responsibilities. Our roles that include subjection ought to be no more disagreeable than the subjection of Jesus Christ in his role to the Godhead. Among humans, though, there is the potential for abuse and men are cautioned in that regard and urged to graciously treat the opposite sex. Both men and women have their respective roles and everyone is subject to someone.
… as the weaker vessel (note, 1 Thess 4:4. Both husband and wife are vessels in God’s hand, of God’s making, to fulfill His gracious purposes. Both weak, the woman the weaker. Sense of his own weakness, and that she, like himself, is God’s vessel, ought lead him to act with tender and wise consideration toward her, the weaker fabric) (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
Men and women differ physiologically, but they are of equal worth respecting salvation (Galatians 3:27-29). Nevertheless, God gave differing but complementary roles to men and women. Mindful of those differing roles, while the woman is to submit to the man, the man has added responsibilities toward the woman. The God-authored physiological differences between the sexes also correspond to the respective roles that God assigned each sex; the man generally enjoys greater strength while the woman in her supportive role is usually not quite as strong physically.
Women demonstrate equal academic capabilities with men. Emotionally, women typically differ from men and between the two sexes, their combined emotional characteristics furnish the home. Both sexes have the same capacity to excel morally, though often women outshine many of their male counterparts. There are many women who are spiritual giants and who make the home and the church more of what God wants them to be. However, neither men nor women are spiritual giants when they disdain God’s respective roles for men and women.
