LESSON VII.—SABBATH, AUGUST 12, 1893.
REVIEW QUESTIONS.—(a) Who suffered on our behalf? (b) What do these sufferings do for us? (c) How should we bear sufferings for his sake? (d) To whom should we commit our cause? Verses 1-6: "In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands; as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror."- How should the believing wife regard the husband? Note 1.
- Does this imply that it would be right for her to sin?
- What should be one object in such faithful conduct?
- What adornment is forbidden? Note 2.
- What adornment is approved?
- What examples are referred to?
- Whose daughters are those who thus adorn themselves?
Verse 7: "Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered."- According to what knowledge should the husband dwell with the wife?
- Why should he honor her?
- What reason is given why both husband and wife should heed these instructions?
Verses 8-11: "Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender hearted, humble minded; not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For, he that would love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile; and let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it."- What spirit should be manifested among brethren? Note 3.
- With what spirit should evil and railing be met?
- What does God design that such opposition shall bring us?
- What instructions are given him who loves life and good days?
- How is the only way to seek peace?—Absolute faith in God. Rom. 5:1. Note 4.
1. Wives, husbands.—Such instructions as are here given are frequently laughed at or sneered about even by those who profess the name of Christ. An unwise, overbearing husband has pressed them too far, or an obstinate, self-willed, worldly-minded wife has rebelled against them; but it is well to remember that these words are the words of God, to be listened to or studied with reverence, knowing that we must meet them in the judgment. Subjection to a husband does not mean slavish homage, but the simple respect due to him whom God and nature have placed first as head and protector of the family. The very name husband—houseband—indicates a binding together, not a lording over. Husbands should love their wives as their own selves (Eph. 5:25, 28), and should not be bitter against them (Col. 3:19), dwelling with them, not as objects of their lust, or slaves to their passions or whims, but according to the knowledge revealed in the word of God and the condition of the wife, giving them honor (1) because they are the weaker sex; (2) because they are heirs together of the grace of life. Wives are to submit to their husbands as is fit in the Lord (Col. 3:18), to defer to them in matters that do not violate conscience or cause the wife to dishonor God, never disparaging them in the eyes of their children or others. She should be modest, prudent, economical. If these feelings and affections exist, God will be honored, and their united prayers put up to him for their children and various blessings will not be hindered.
2. Whose adorning.—Let not this be the object of your life; let not this be the means by which you will be commended to men. This does not imply that the dress should not be neat, neatly made, and appropriate to the wearer. The very spirit of order in the Christian religion demands this. Slovenliness and disorder are not of God any more than are the foibles of fashion. The force of this text is that Christian women should not seek to commend themselves, win their way, appear well to others, by outward adornment. Let the chief attraction be that of character, even the adornment of a meek and quiet spirit, which, if not in the sight of men, is "in the sight of God of great price" or worth. With this compare 1 Tim. 2:9 and Isaiah 5. Vincent says on the text: "The Roman women of the day were addicted to ridiculous extravagance in the adornment of the hair. Juvenal ("Satire," VI) satirizes these customs. He says: 'The attendants will vote on the dressing of the hair as if a question of reputation or of life were at stake, so great is the trouble she takes in quest of beauty; with so many tiers does she load, with so many continuous stories does she build upon high her head. She is tall as Andromache in front, behind she is shorter. You would think her another person.' The hair was dyed, and secured with costly pins and with nets of gold thread. False hair and blonde wigs were worn."
"Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ, or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter to be passed off with a jest. The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer. Many unbelievers have felt that they were not doing right in permitting themselves to be slaves of fashion; but when they see some who make a high profession of godliness dressing as worldlings dress, enjoying frivolous society, they decide that there can be no wrong in such a course. 'We are,' said the inspired apostle, 'made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.' All Heaven is marking the daily influence which the professed followers of Christ exert upon the world. My sisters, your dress is telling either in favor of Christ and the sacred truth or in favor of the world. Which is it? Remember we must all answer to God for the influence we exert."
"There is an ornament that will never perish, that will promote the happiness of all around us in this life, and will shine with undimmed luster in the immortal future. It is the adorning of a meek and lowly spirit. God has bidden us wear the richest dress upon the soul. By every look into the mirror, the worshipers of fashion should be reminded of the neglected soul. Every hour squandered over the toilet should reprove them for leaving the intellect to lie waste. Then there might be a reforma607tion that would elevate and ennoble all the aims and purposes of life. Instead of seeking golden ornaments for the exterior, an earnest effort would be put forth to secure that wisdom which is of more value than fine gold, yea, which is more precious than rubies."
3. Of one mind.—The only way to be of one mind is to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5); this mind will take possession of us when we fully renounce self and let Christ in; this unites us with Christ, and through Christ with one another (John 17:21-23). Union of each soul with God is the only way possible to have union with one another.
4. Peace.—The only requisite to peace is faith in God. Faith brings peace. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1. But faith in God means complete submission to God's will. It means repentance of sin, obedience to God. It means the reception of that righteousness which takes the place of all sins and brings the peace of Christ.
WORD THOUGHTS.—In like manner (v. 1), in common version "likewise," having reference to the instruction given in chapter 2:18 to servants; likewise as the servants be in subjection, or "submitting yourselves."—Gained, common version, "be won." The word is the same translated "gained" in Matt. 18:15, "gained thy brother."—Behold (v. 2), giving the idea of an eyewitness, looking upon one's self.—Plaiting, the original word occurs only here in the New Testament.—Putting on, of apparel; that is, more than is necessary for comfort or propriety.—Meek (v. 4), used in classical Greek with reference to men only, having respect to outward acts alone. Christianity has ennobled the word. It is a grace founded in humility and self-control, the outgrowth of a regenerate heart. It indicates mildness, gentleness, teachableness.—Of great price, the very word used in 1 Tim. 2:9 to describe costly raiment.—Terror (v. 6), a scare or nervous excitement, without terror, but loving, trusting submission.—Hindered (v. 7), literally, "knocked in;" that your prayers be not knocked in, or hindered, that is, by division and strife.