hey

Hey, i'm new here...I actually just stumbled upon a passage that troubled me a bit..wondering if anyone has an answer..

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Is this saying that wives are weaker?

All answers/responses are welcome, thx!!!!

Sharon

First of all, welcome to CC

And to the question, YES Women are weaker..

Are u speaking in physical terms that women are weaker? Or just overall???

Physical yeah!!..

Overall: Probably, if a man was made above women, I GUESS SO..

Mmmm I suppose it says what it means Women are weaker than men in probably 99 percent of relationships in the world. So physically yes, but in other ways i.e spiritually or mentally, I wouldn't be sure.

Classy15 welcome I'm glad you joined Christian Chat.

Women may be weaker physically, but in general i say not. Men will always tell you yes we are, but thats only to make themselves feel better

Other translations say 'weaker vessel', though i suppose that's still not clear, so here is what i found in the Amplified version...

1 Peter 3:7

7In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God's unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. [Otherwise you cannot pray effectively.]

I was taught more emotionally fraggile...or sensitive. God bless

Yeah I agree. I also think it means physically weak as well. Just in general woman are a weaker creature. By weaker I think he means more sensitive (physically, emotionally,etc..) Husbands shouldn't do anything as to damage that persons sensitive body or emotions.

EX: Woman are usually the ones getting physically abused, they cry easier(for the most part) when they see a sad movie or get yelled at, their sensitivity is part of their "mother's intuition", stuff like that.

I think what Paul might have been getting at was not only physical strength, but also women's social status when this letter was written.

welcome! Nice to meet you.

welcome to cc

i always focused on how if men mistreat their wives their prayers will be hindered and not answered by God,

but if you want input on the word weaker, it does not mean less valuable but more hidden and treasured. Women are sometimes the hidden parts not because we are shameful but becasue we are honored and beloved. without mothers to raise and take care of children the household too often falls apart though some dedicated fathers do try their best.

Psalm 51:6
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

1 corinthians 12
22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

more than the church, marriage is meant to be the joining of two people in ONE body. weaker does not mean less honorable but more so.

What also might come into play is what Paul is mentioning here in 1 Tim 2:11-14

Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

This is speaking of "a weakness" in the woman of being deceived more easily and therefore not in authority position over man.
Also, since in marriage the husband is "in authority" over the wife and the wives are told to submit to their husbands, it is urged that husbands not to take advantage of their wives or mistreat them because of their position, since before God they are equal but for the sake of leadership in marriage the woman takes the submissive position and the husband supposed to lead her and protect her as being the "weaker" vessel in this arrangement so to speak.

Ephesians 5:22
[ Marriage—Christ and the Church ] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:24
Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Colossians 3:18
[ The Christian Home ] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Titus 2:4-5
that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

1 Peter 3:5
For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

just a few of the scriptures to this subject...