Devotionals by Raul Ries

MONDAY September 21, 2026

Submissive Wives

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, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
1 Peter 3:1-2

As we begin a new chapter in 1 Peter, I am aware that we have many different people reading along with us––people who are single, married and divorced. With that in mind, I want to just give you a refresher course on marriage. What does the Bible teach about marriage?

Let me first give you the background to Simon Peter, because we know that he was not single, nor was he the first Pope, as the Catholic Church teaches. He was, in fact, married. We see this written in the Bible:

Now He [Jesus] arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them (Luke 4:38-39).

It is really important to understand how Peter was instructing believers about their marriages. He laid a firm foundation of biblical precepts for a successful marriage. Throughout 1 Peter 3:1-6, he encouraged godly submission to husbands––those who were submitted to the Lordship of Christ, those who were unbelievers, and even Christian husbands who were not obeying the Word of God. The Apostle Peter’s encouragement to wives was to look to the examples of the holy women in the Bible who trusted God. The Lord honors a wife’s godly obedience and submission.

The word submissive means “to be placed under.” It is a military term meaning “to subordinate.” Although a husband and wife are equal before God in rank, a wife is placed under her husband’s leadership. Submitting to a nonbeliever is not always easy. Through prayer, allow the Holy Spirit to work in his life. However, keep this in mind: You do not have to submit to sin or abuse. A loving husband will find his wife will readily submit. If you are married to an honorable man who does not know Christ, be a witness to him by your Christ-like behavior and reverence for the Lord.

It’s my job to love and respect Billy; it’s God’s job to make him good. God called you not to make your husband good, but to make him happy.
~Ruth Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!