January 9th, 2025
by Dr. Josh Franklin
by Dr. Josh Franklin
In 1 Peter 3:1-6, we see God’s guidance for how a godly wife can influence her husband for Christ. Someone once described marriage as being like a dance. In a dance, there is a leader and a follower. The leader guides and sets the direction, and the follower complements that leadership, creating beauty and harmony in motion.
There was a story about a championship dance team—a man and a woman—who were asked about their roles during an interview. The woman laughed and said, “Yes, he leads, but let’s be honest—I have to do all the moves backwards, and I have to do it in heels. So I’ve got the harder job!”
In marriage, both roles are vital, and both require effort and grace. I hope you’ll see God’s plan for your home—not just how it can be a blessing to your spouse, but how it can also be a powerful witness to the world around you.
1. Her Submissive Attitude
Peter begins by addressing the wife’s submissive attitude:
“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives” (v. 1).
The principle of submission is woven into God’s design for all areas of life. Peter has been addressing submission in society, in the workplace, and now in the home.
Some of us might bristle at this idea, thinking, “Well, I’m an independent person. I live in a free country. Nobody tells me what to do!” But Scripture is clear. God has established order in society, and we are instructed to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1). Submission is not a dirty word—it’s part of God’s ideal for us.
Peter also addresses submission in the workplace. Some might say, “My boss isn’t going to tell me what to do!” But that’s not the attitude Scripture teaches. Imagine if Jesus had that mindset. Peter just finished pointing to Jesus in 1 Peter 2 as the ultimate example of submission.
Now, in the same way, Peter says, “Wives, be submissive to your own husbands.” The Greek word for “submission” (hupotasso) means “to arrange under” or “to align with.” It is about willingly aligning yourself under God’s order—not inferiority, not inequality—but order.
And let’s clarify something important: This does not mean that women are to submit to all men. Scripture is very specific here—this is about wives submitting to their own husbands in the home. It does not mean the wife is inferior or that the husband is superior. That’s not the point at all.
In fact, Galatians 3:28 reminds us that in Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” When it comes to value, worth, and standing before God, men and women are completely equal. Even when Scripture talks about headship in the home, like in Ephesians 6:4, it says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.” It doesn’t say, “Obey your father only.” There is a shared responsibility and partnership in the home, but there is also a structure of order.
Think about the relationship between God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:28, “My Father is greater than I,” but also said in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one.” So, which is it? Well, it’s both. Jesus and the Father are equal in essence, power, and Deity. Yet, within the Trinity, there is an order.
Philippians 2:5–8 (NKJV)
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus is fully God. He was, is, and always will be equal with the Father. Yet, He willingly submitted Himself to the Father’s plan, even to the point of death. Does that submission make Him inferior? Of course not. It’s about order, not value.
Paul reiterates this in 1 Corinthians 11:3, where he writes, “The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” Even within the Godhead, we see submission. Jesus submitted to the Father’s will when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
So, in 1 Peter 3:1, when Peter says, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands,” he’s pointing to that same principle. It’s not about inferiority; it’s about reflecting God’s order in the home. And he goes on to say that this submission can have a powerful impact: “Even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.”
This is where actions speak louder than words. Think about it—your life is always speaking, even when you’re silent. It reminds me of the game charades. Imagine you’re trying to act out the word running—it’s easy, right? You just pretend to run, and everyone gets it immediately. But then someone gets a word like “hope” or “kindness”, and they’re left standing there, unsure of how to act it out.
In the same way, Peter is speaking to these first-century wives who had come to Christ and were now facing tension in their homes. Their husbands were unbelievers, and this new faith had created a strain. Peter’s message to them is clear: Don’t let there be unnecessary tension in your home. Instead, he encourages them to remain loyal to their husbands and to live in such a way that their very lifestyle communicates the gospel.
Peter is saying, “Let your life preach. Let your love and conduct show the love of Christ.” He’s telling these wives that their husbands should know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there is no other human being more important to them than their spouse. And that message—the message of love and respect—will resonate louder than any words ever could.
Now, someone might think, “I know what I’ll do! I’ll turn on the Christian radio station as loud as I can when my husband gets home. Or I’ll slip little gospel tracts into his lunch bag every day. Maybe I’ll make sure the car is always tuned to the Christian channel, even if he wasn’t listening to it before. Or I’ll arrange for Christian men to drop by and invite him to church.”
While none of those things are inherently bad, Peter’s point is this: Your life will preach louder than all of that combined. It’s not about forcing the message onto your spouse; it’s about living it out in a way that’s undeniable.
Peter commends a believing wife’s Christlike behavior, which will draw him in and soften his heart in ways words alone never could.
2. Her Superior Attraction
Next, Peter emphasizes the importance of a wife’s inner beauty. In today’s world, so much value is placed on physical beauty. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with physical beauty, Scripture reminds us of its limits. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.” A woman who has a deep reverence for God possesses a beauty that never fades.
Let’s be honest—physical beauty changes as we age. Notice I’m saying it the right way: it changes. And that’s natural. There’s nothing wrong with that. But Peter’s focus is on an enduring beauty, one that doesn’t fade. In 1 Peter 3:3, he writes, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel.”
Now, some have taken this verse too far, suggesting that women shouldn’t wear jewelry, style their hair, or wear makeup. But that’s not what Peter is saying. If he were, then he’d also be saying, “Don’t put on clothes,” which, of course, isn’t the point at all. Peter isn’t forbidding outward adornment; he’s saying, “Don’t let your beauty be merely outward.”
Instead, Peter encourages women to emphasize what matters most. In verse 4, he says, “Rather, let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
This inner beauty—the kind that doesn’t fade—is where the priority should lie. Peter is calling for a godly woman to cultivate her inner self, her heart, because that’s the kind of beauty that lasts a lifetime and into eternity. It’s also the kind of beauty that can draw an unbelieving husband toward Christ.
1 Timothy 4:7–8 says, “…exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” While physical exercise and care for the body have some value, the greater priority is spiritual discipline.
Think about how much time, energy, and money we spend on physical exercise and appearance—there’s nothing wrong with that—but Peter reminds us that the priority for a godly woman is the hidden person on the inside. Why? Because that inner beauty will remain and will be winsome, attractive, and impactful, especially to an unbelieving spouse.
Peter also touches on the character of this inner beauty, focusing on two qualities: gentleness and a quiet spirit.
Some might think gentleness means weakness, but that’s not what Scripture teaches. Jesus Himself says in Matthew 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” That word “gentle” is the same idea Peter uses here, and it means “strength under control.” Gentleness isn’t weakness—it’s power that is restrained and directed.
In fact, gentleness is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” So when Peter says a woman’s beauty should include gentleness, he’s saying her strength, her responses, her words—all of it—should be under God’s control, under the lordship of Jesus. And that kind of beauty is far more attractive than anything merely physical.
Then Peter mentions a quiet spirit. Sometimes we misunderstand this to mean a woman should simply be silent, but that’s not what the word truly means. A quiet spirit is one that is calm, steady, and unshaken. Think of a peaceful lake, calm and still, reflecting the beauty around it. It’s a woman who rests in the Lord, trusting Him in all circumstances.
When life is disturbing and when people are disturbed, a godly woman can bring a calmness without adding to the disturbance. A godly woman, who is undisturbed within herself, can help quiet and calm things down in a home. That kind of spirit, Peter says, is precious in the sight of God.
So, Peter is not devaluing outward beauty, but he’s pointing to a greater, incorruptible beauty—one that flows from a gentle and quiet spirit, rooted in God. That kind of beauty not only pleases the Lord but also has the power to draw others, especially an unbelieving spouse, to Christ.
3. Her Spiritual Appeal
The final thing I want you to see is her spiritual appeal. In 1 Peter 3:1, Peter explains that the way a believing wife lives her life can be winsome and attractive, drawing her husband toward the gospel. Peter isn’t saying this guarantees salvation, but it does create a powerful opportunity for it to happen. He writes that a husband “without a word may be won by the conduct of their wives.”
Peter even points to the example of Sarah, Abraham’s wife in the Old Testament, as a model of this kind of spiritual attractiveness. Sarah is described in Scripture as physically beautiful—so much so that when she and Abraham traveled to Egypt, Abraham feared for his life. He told Sarah, “Say you are my sister, so that I may be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you” (Genesis 12:13). That’s how attractive she was—Abraham thought others might kill him just to keep her.
Yet Peter doesn’t focus on Sarah’s outward beauty. Instead, he recognizes her inner beauty—her respect and submission to her husband, even in challenging situations. When Abraham told Sarah to leave their home and follow him to an unknown land, she went with him, trusting in both her husband and God’s plan. When Abraham made the wrong choice in Egypt by asking her to lie, Sarah went along with it—not because it was right, but because she trusted God would ultimately protect and guide them. And God did hold Abraham accountable for his actions, but Sarah’s willingness to follow demonstrated her respect and trust.
In Genesis 18, when three visitors—one of whom was the Lord—came to Abraham and announced that Sarah would have a child, Abraham rushed into the tent and asked Sarah to prepare a meal for their guests. Sarah didn’t respond with frustration or disrespect, even though she could have. Instead, she willingly helped. This is the kind of respect Peter commends.
In 1 Peter 3:6, it says Sarah “obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.” Now, this doesn’t mean she saw Abraham as her Savior or Master but rather that she showed him deep respect. Peter encourages wives to emulate this kind of respect for their husbands.
In verse 5, Peter explains that this kind of behavior comes from trusting in God. “For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands.” These women entrusted themselves to God, just as Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father’s will, even when it led to the cross.
And then Peter says something powerful in the second half of verse 6: “Whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.” This means living out your faith in front of your spouse without fear. Even if your husband opposes the gospel, you can live boldly, trusting God with the outcome.
One writer put it this way: “His obstinacy will not scare her away from her faith.” In other words, a godly wife doesn’t shrink back from living out her Christian convictions, even in the face of opposition. She remains steadfast, trusting that her life and conduct will speak volumes.
A powerful example of this in church history is Monica, the mother of Augustine. Monica’s husband, Patricius, wasn’t a believer. Yet Monica served him with love and respect, living out her faith consistently. By the end of his life, Patricius gave his heart to Christ. Reflecting on his parents, Augustine wrote this tribute to Monica: “She served her husband as her master and did all she could to win him for You, O God, by her conduct, by which You made her so beautiful. Finally, when her husband was at the end of his earthly span, she gained him for You.”
This is exactly what Peter is describing—a life so beautiful, both spiritually and physically, that it draws others toward Christ. Every person must ultimately choose to come to God on their own, but a godly wife can remove every excuse her husband might have. She can make the gospel irresistible by the way she lives and loves.
But let me be clear—this doesn’t mean the husband doesn’t need to hear the gospel. Living out your faith is crucial, but so is sharing the message. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Every person needs to hear the gospel and respond by confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior.
So, wives, let your life be a testimony—a living example of Christ’s love. Pray for your husband, live out your faith, and when the opportunity comes, share the gospel message. Together, your words and your actions can point him to the Savior.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful design You have for marriage and the roles You’ve given us to reflect Your love and order. Lord, help me to live out my faith with a quiet strength, letting my actions and attitude speak louder than my words. Help me cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit that brings peace and reflects Your grace in my home. When challenges arise, give me the courage to trust You fully and to remain steadfast in my faith. May my life be a testimony of Your transforming power, drawing my spouse and others closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
There was a story about a championship dance team—a man and a woman—who were asked about their roles during an interview. The woman laughed and said, “Yes, he leads, but let’s be honest—I have to do all the moves backwards, and I have to do it in heels. So I’ve got the harder job!”
In marriage, both roles are vital, and both require effort and grace. I hope you’ll see God’s plan for your home—not just how it can be a blessing to your spouse, but how it can also be a powerful witness to the world around you.
1. Her Submissive Attitude
Peter begins by addressing the wife’s submissive attitude:
“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives” (v. 1).
The principle of submission is woven into God’s design for all areas of life. Peter has been addressing submission in society, in the workplace, and now in the home.
Some of us might bristle at this idea, thinking, “Well, I’m an independent person. I live in a free country. Nobody tells me what to do!” But Scripture is clear. God has established order in society, and we are instructed to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1). Submission is not a dirty word—it’s part of God’s ideal for us.
Peter also addresses submission in the workplace. Some might say, “My boss isn’t going to tell me what to do!” But that’s not the attitude Scripture teaches. Imagine if Jesus had that mindset. Peter just finished pointing to Jesus in 1 Peter 2 as the ultimate example of submission.
Now, in the same way, Peter says, “Wives, be submissive to your own husbands.” The Greek word for “submission” (hupotasso) means “to arrange under” or “to align with.” It is about willingly aligning yourself under God’s order—not inferiority, not inequality—but order.
And let’s clarify something important: This does not mean that women are to submit to all men. Scripture is very specific here—this is about wives submitting to their own husbands in the home. It does not mean the wife is inferior or that the husband is superior. That’s not the point at all.
In fact, Galatians 3:28 reminds us that in Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” When it comes to value, worth, and standing before God, men and women are completely equal. Even when Scripture talks about headship in the home, like in Ephesians 6:4, it says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.” It doesn’t say, “Obey your father only.” There is a shared responsibility and partnership in the home, but there is also a structure of order.
Think about the relationship between God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:28, “My Father is greater than I,” but also said in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one.” So, which is it? Well, it’s both. Jesus and the Father are equal in essence, power, and Deity. Yet, within the Trinity, there is an order.
Philippians 2:5–8 (NKJV)
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus is fully God. He was, is, and always will be equal with the Father. Yet, He willingly submitted Himself to the Father’s plan, even to the point of death. Does that submission make Him inferior? Of course not. It’s about order, not value.
Paul reiterates this in 1 Corinthians 11:3, where he writes, “The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” Even within the Godhead, we see submission. Jesus submitted to the Father’s will when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
So, in 1 Peter 3:1, when Peter says, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands,” he’s pointing to that same principle. It’s not about inferiority; it’s about reflecting God’s order in the home. And he goes on to say that this submission can have a powerful impact: “Even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.”
This is where actions speak louder than words. Think about it—your life is always speaking, even when you’re silent. It reminds me of the game charades. Imagine you’re trying to act out the word running—it’s easy, right? You just pretend to run, and everyone gets it immediately. But then someone gets a word like “hope” or “kindness”, and they’re left standing there, unsure of how to act it out.
In the same way, Peter is speaking to these first-century wives who had come to Christ and were now facing tension in their homes. Their husbands were unbelievers, and this new faith had created a strain. Peter’s message to them is clear: Don’t let there be unnecessary tension in your home. Instead, he encourages them to remain loyal to their husbands and to live in such a way that their very lifestyle communicates the gospel.
Peter is saying, “Let your life preach. Let your love and conduct show the love of Christ.” He’s telling these wives that their husbands should know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there is no other human being more important to them than their spouse. And that message—the message of love and respect—will resonate louder than any words ever could.
Now, someone might think, “I know what I’ll do! I’ll turn on the Christian radio station as loud as I can when my husband gets home. Or I’ll slip little gospel tracts into his lunch bag every day. Maybe I’ll make sure the car is always tuned to the Christian channel, even if he wasn’t listening to it before. Or I’ll arrange for Christian men to drop by and invite him to church.”
While none of those things are inherently bad, Peter’s point is this: Your life will preach louder than all of that combined. It’s not about forcing the message onto your spouse; it’s about living it out in a way that’s undeniable.
Peter commends a believing wife’s Christlike behavior, which will draw him in and soften his heart in ways words alone never could.
2. Her Superior Attraction
Next, Peter emphasizes the importance of a wife’s inner beauty. In today’s world, so much value is placed on physical beauty. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with physical beauty, Scripture reminds us of its limits. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.” A woman who has a deep reverence for God possesses a beauty that never fades.
Let’s be honest—physical beauty changes as we age. Notice I’m saying it the right way: it changes. And that’s natural. There’s nothing wrong with that. But Peter’s focus is on an enduring beauty, one that doesn’t fade. In 1 Peter 3:3, he writes, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel.”
Now, some have taken this verse too far, suggesting that women shouldn’t wear jewelry, style their hair, or wear makeup. But that’s not what Peter is saying. If he were, then he’d also be saying, “Don’t put on clothes,” which, of course, isn’t the point at all. Peter isn’t forbidding outward adornment; he’s saying, “Don’t let your beauty be merely outward.”
Instead, Peter encourages women to emphasize what matters most. In verse 4, he says, “Rather, let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
This inner beauty—the kind that doesn’t fade—is where the priority should lie. Peter is calling for a godly woman to cultivate her inner self, her heart, because that’s the kind of beauty that lasts a lifetime and into eternity. It’s also the kind of beauty that can draw an unbelieving husband toward Christ.
1 Timothy 4:7–8 says, “…exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” While physical exercise and care for the body have some value, the greater priority is spiritual discipline.
Think about how much time, energy, and money we spend on physical exercise and appearance—there’s nothing wrong with that—but Peter reminds us that the priority for a godly woman is the hidden person on the inside. Why? Because that inner beauty will remain and will be winsome, attractive, and impactful, especially to an unbelieving spouse.
Peter also touches on the character of this inner beauty, focusing on two qualities: gentleness and a quiet spirit.
Some might think gentleness means weakness, but that’s not what Scripture teaches. Jesus Himself says in Matthew 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” That word “gentle” is the same idea Peter uses here, and it means “strength under control.” Gentleness isn’t weakness—it’s power that is restrained and directed.
In fact, gentleness is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” So when Peter says a woman’s beauty should include gentleness, he’s saying her strength, her responses, her words—all of it—should be under God’s control, under the lordship of Jesus. And that kind of beauty is far more attractive than anything merely physical.
Then Peter mentions a quiet spirit. Sometimes we misunderstand this to mean a woman should simply be silent, but that’s not what the word truly means. A quiet spirit is one that is calm, steady, and unshaken. Think of a peaceful lake, calm and still, reflecting the beauty around it. It’s a woman who rests in the Lord, trusting Him in all circumstances.
When life is disturbing and when people are disturbed, a godly woman can bring a calmness without adding to the disturbance. A godly woman, who is undisturbed within herself, can help quiet and calm things down in a home. That kind of spirit, Peter says, is precious in the sight of God.
So, Peter is not devaluing outward beauty, but he’s pointing to a greater, incorruptible beauty—one that flows from a gentle and quiet spirit, rooted in God. That kind of beauty not only pleases the Lord but also has the power to draw others, especially an unbelieving spouse, to Christ.
3. Her Spiritual Appeal
The final thing I want you to see is her spiritual appeal. In 1 Peter 3:1, Peter explains that the way a believing wife lives her life can be winsome and attractive, drawing her husband toward the gospel. Peter isn’t saying this guarantees salvation, but it does create a powerful opportunity for it to happen. He writes that a husband “without a word may be won by the conduct of their wives.”
Peter even points to the example of Sarah, Abraham’s wife in the Old Testament, as a model of this kind of spiritual attractiveness. Sarah is described in Scripture as physically beautiful—so much so that when she and Abraham traveled to Egypt, Abraham feared for his life. He told Sarah, “Say you are my sister, so that I may be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you” (Genesis 12:13). That’s how attractive she was—Abraham thought others might kill him just to keep her.
Yet Peter doesn’t focus on Sarah’s outward beauty. Instead, he recognizes her inner beauty—her respect and submission to her husband, even in challenging situations. When Abraham told Sarah to leave their home and follow him to an unknown land, she went with him, trusting in both her husband and God’s plan. When Abraham made the wrong choice in Egypt by asking her to lie, Sarah went along with it—not because it was right, but because she trusted God would ultimately protect and guide them. And God did hold Abraham accountable for his actions, but Sarah’s willingness to follow demonstrated her respect and trust.
In Genesis 18, when three visitors—one of whom was the Lord—came to Abraham and announced that Sarah would have a child, Abraham rushed into the tent and asked Sarah to prepare a meal for their guests. Sarah didn’t respond with frustration or disrespect, even though she could have. Instead, she willingly helped. This is the kind of respect Peter commends.
In 1 Peter 3:6, it says Sarah “obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.” Now, this doesn’t mean she saw Abraham as her Savior or Master but rather that she showed him deep respect. Peter encourages wives to emulate this kind of respect for their husbands.
In verse 5, Peter explains that this kind of behavior comes from trusting in God. “For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands.” These women entrusted themselves to God, just as Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father’s will, even when it led to the cross.
And then Peter says something powerful in the second half of verse 6: “Whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.” This means living out your faith in front of your spouse without fear. Even if your husband opposes the gospel, you can live boldly, trusting God with the outcome.
One writer put it this way: “His obstinacy will not scare her away from her faith.” In other words, a godly wife doesn’t shrink back from living out her Christian convictions, even in the face of opposition. She remains steadfast, trusting that her life and conduct will speak volumes.
A powerful example of this in church history is Monica, the mother of Augustine. Monica’s husband, Patricius, wasn’t a believer. Yet Monica served him with love and respect, living out her faith consistently. By the end of his life, Patricius gave his heart to Christ. Reflecting on his parents, Augustine wrote this tribute to Monica: “She served her husband as her master and did all she could to win him for You, O God, by her conduct, by which You made her so beautiful. Finally, when her husband was at the end of his earthly span, she gained him for You.”
This is exactly what Peter is describing—a life so beautiful, both spiritually and physically, that it draws others toward Christ. Every person must ultimately choose to come to God on their own, but a godly wife can remove every excuse her husband might have. She can make the gospel irresistible by the way she lives and loves.
But let me be clear—this doesn’t mean the husband doesn’t need to hear the gospel. Living out your faith is crucial, but so is sharing the message. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Every person needs to hear the gospel and respond by confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior.
So, wives, let your life be a testimony—a living example of Christ’s love. Pray for your husband, live out your faith, and when the opportunity comes, share the gospel message. Together, your words and your actions can point him to the Savior.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful design You have for marriage and the roles You’ve given us to reflect Your love and order. Lord, help me to live out my faith with a quiet strength, letting my actions and attitude speak louder than my words. Help me cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit that brings peace and reflects Your grace in my home. When challenges arise, give me the courage to trust You fully and to remain steadfast in my faith. May my life be a testimony of Your transforming power, drawing my spouse and others closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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Dr. Josh Franklin
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