“Husbands, in the same way be considerate…so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7)

Frank regularly points out his wife’s faults in front of others. Even when he tries to make it sound funny, his poor wife certainly isn’t laughing. Everyone except Frank sees the hurt, embarrassment, and anger in her eyes each time it happens. He wonders why she never wants to go out and socialize like he does.

Peter didn’t use a lot of words to communicate to husbands about their responsibility to their wives. Compared to the previous instructions he gave to wives, one might be tempted to conclude that his instructions to husband is less important. Quite the contrary.

Peter is not interested in wasted words with husbands, but gets right to the point. He wants there to be no doubt about the husband’s obligations to his wife. In a world that gave almost no honor to women, he has established a very different code of conduct for husbands toward their wives. In the ancient world, the wife had no privilege—only obligation. Now, Peter tells men that they have no special privilege over their wives. They do have a serious obligation.

Peter begins, just as he did when he addressed wives, with in the same way. What does he mean? He means that in the same way that our Lord submitted himself to the Father and sacrificed himself to bear the sins of man, husbands are to treat their wives with respect and consideration as co-heirs in Christ. Any observant husband knows that when it comes to physical strength, his wife is generally the weaker partner (who is it that always asks for help to open a jar?). He is not saying women are weak. On the contrary, he is only acknowledging a basic physical difference and demanding that husband treat her with respect as the weaker partner and co-heir. Partners share equal standing and value but with different roles. The point he is making is that a husband has an obligation to show his wife how precious she is in his eyes. He does that by the way he treats her in private and in public.

In our world men are largely portrayed as dunderheads and sexual predators. Perhaps we’ve brought that on ourselves because we lost sight of our role. If that is to change it will mean that some real men will have to step the plate and assume their obligations as husbands. A real man treats his wife like royalty in public and at home. A real man submits himself to God’s rule and takes up the mantel of obligation placed upon him for the blessing and protection of his wife and family. He lives as a man of honor by honoring the woman who has chosen to submit herself to his considerate leadership. A real man knows that being considerate and treating her with respect is the link to an unhindered prayer life. One commentator says, “The sighs of an injured wife come between the husband’s prayers and God’s hearing.” Enough said.

Except this—what are you modeling and teaching the next generations about the obligation of husbands to their wives? Will your sons and grandsons learn to treat their wives with respect and to be considerate of them by your example? Teach them well, for their wife’s sake, and that their prayers may not be hindered.