3 minute read

A few months ago, I wrote an article on the importance of the way husbands treat their wives, here: 

The Way You Treat Your Wife is Defining You As a Man

This morning, I saw an opportunity for expansion of my original writing, and I found even more richness and goodness in this passage from 1 Peter 3 that I hope inspires you today. 

“…In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, the way you treat your wife reveals two things; your heart, and your relationship with God. Understanding this well may bring a greater depth to your relationship with her and with God. 

Here are 3 things I learned from examining this that I want to share with husbands:

1. Understanding your view of her reveals your understanding of relationship with God.

• If you are both in Christ, “…She is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life.” She is your partner, not adversary or servant. You live life together. So, share and live in all of it, together with her!

• She is a joint heir in God’s gift of the grace of life, through Christ. She shares EQUALLY in this inheritance.

–Is this how you see her? 

-How does this relate to your relationship with God? 

2. Understanding what she shares in shows that you also understand what you have received, which reveals your heart.  

• She shares equally in his grace. The same grace that you, if you have a relationship with Christ, have received and share in. 

-Do you understand this grace, and the gratitude, humility, love, and compassion it can produce in your life?

3. Understanding WHO is in her reveals a greater understanding of the value she holds, and how you should treat her. 

• In Christ, the same Spirit that lives in you lives in her. 

-Do you know and understand who is in her and who she is because of that?

If you believe that what 1 Peter 3 says is true, then my hope is that you hold a deep reverence for who she is in His eyes. She is an equal heir of His gifts, grace and life. 

If you do not have a relationship with God, it may be hard to fully understand what I mean by “in Christ”, or the identity of a wife who is in Christ. But, I encourage you to curiously explore the passage from 1 Peter and the points below, and reach out to me with any questions you have.

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Husbands, what can you do moving forward?

→Honor her. Think of 1-2 ways to do this today. 

→Live with her in understanding and togetherness. 

→Know the sacred equality of your spiritual partnership with her.

→Experience the goodness of God’s gifts and promises, through her.

→Embrace a richer relationship with God, including better prayer and intimacy with Him, by understanding who she is and knowing the value of treating her well.

These words–”honor, live, know, experience, embrace”–are intended to show the abundance of life and relationship, first with God, and second with her, that can be found through loving and honoring her. 

Husbands, my hope in writing here is 1) that this will bring a deeper thoughtfulness in your actions towards her, and 2) greater intimacy in relationship with God, and 3) greater connection with her. If you have questions or have a different perspective, please reach out to me below.

Alex 

November 8, 2025

gerberxc@gmail.com