7Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as hears with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
The problem of non-submissive wives (and I write this with great caution, choosing my words carefully) is that their husbands don’t follow the Truth contained in this verse. This is not to say that every rebellious wife has a husband who is not loving the way Jesus loved us, but for many this is true. Husbands are to love the same way Jesus showed His love. There were no limits to His love. He didn’t withhold His love when someone sinned, or when His needs did not get met. Instead, He reached further. Peter says that husbands need to be considerate, that is to consider her opinion, her person, and let her influence you. Even secular research has shown this. A husband who accepts their wife’s influence is much more likely to remain happy and married than one who doesn’t. Husbands need to respect their wives as a partner and heir. If we don’t, this lack of respect will hinder our prayers. Don’t focus on the word ‘weaker’ in the text. A Ming vase is weaker than a block of concrete, but I don’t want a block of concrete sitting on a shelf in my living room. Wives are partners and heirs. They join and compliment us in unique ways, ways that most men don’t understand or appreciate. Men have a tendency to be too harsh, loud, pushy, and demanding. We get used to getting our way at work, to asserting our voice, that when we come home and the kids aren’t ‘in line’ or the house isn’t up to our expectations, we explode. We don’t stop to consider just how difficult raising children can be, especially today with all the negative pressures coming from our society. Remember, they are partners. Don’t run your partner into the ground, or you will soon be declaring bankruptcy!
The Arnold Journey 