(a) State the main features of Peter's counsel to wives and husbands in their relationship....

Explanation

(a) Peter devoted much of his counsel to wives. He advised them to be submissive to their husbands, for by their good behavior, unbelieving husbands might be won over to God, especially in response to the reverent and chaste nature which they exhibited. Wives should not attach too much importance to external adornments, characterized by much use of trinkets, gold ornaments, hair braiding and flamboyant dressing.

Instead, they should lay greater premium on moral probity which, before God, is as precious as an imperishable jewel. Wives should look up to Sarah as their role model. She hoped in God and referred to her husband, in obedience, as her Lord. If, as wives, they maintained her standard, they would rightly be her children, by faith. Turning to the husbands, Peter advised them to live considerately with their wives in accordance with their knowledge of God's character and will, knowing that women are the weaker vessel who should be treated with love and honour so that as joint heirs of the grace of God, their prayers might not be hindered by any ungodly action on their part.

(b) Instability in the family is usually caused by mutual misunderstanding or incompatibility of character between husband and wife, and this often has far-reaching consequences. These are:

(i) juvenile delinquency among the children in the family: With parents always at daggers — drawn and no love, children's home-training becomes defective. This adversely affects their behaviour.

(ii) Lack of love or unity in the home: Often, this leads to open physical confrontation and inevitable disaster.

(iii) Divorce: Where the love of God is compromised or non-existent, husbands and wives may end up in divorce. The rate of divorce is on the rise today due to extreme materialism and selfishness which characterize relationships today. Instability of the family leads to instability in the nation.