Context matters. When the apostle Peter writes about prayer (1 Pet 3:6-9), he refers to the marriage relationship. Marriage is a sacred relationship between a man and a woman. Review these two passages by Jesus and the apostle Paul to understand the context that the apostle Peter is writing of about prayer.

And some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (Matt 19:3-6, LSB)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. (Eph 5:25-31, LSB)

1. Make 2 charts of your observations: 1) List how husbands are to live and explain each action, and 2) List the apostle Peter's summation and explain each action. Use a Bible dictionary if needed. Share your findings!

just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children if you do good, not fearing any intimidation. You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. Now to sum up, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, brotherly, tender-hearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but giving a blessing instead, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. (1 Pet 3:6-9, LSB)