He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. Psalm 25:9 NRSV.

The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw (water) with, and the well is deep.” John 4:11.

In our chapter, 1 Peter 3, Peter is sharing much of what Paul shared that they both learned from Jesus the Son, Creator God. In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external – braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil, and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Can we read this chapter for what underlies the heart of the teaching? He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. We can misuse Scripture to the hurt of ourselves and others. We can’t see clearly without God’s help. In the second Scripture verse cited before the chapter, Jesus had asked the woman at the well, a Samaritan, for a drink of water. She didn’t know who Jesus was. She was locked into her own daily reality and way of thinking and of being treated. And Jesus said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water. Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life…an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:10, 13-14, 23-24. Can we see past the weeds in this life as we read Scripture? The woman at the well had no reference for the water Jesus was talking about so it was not real to her. But it is real. This is not telling women how to dress or to be submissive to abusive husbands; but something deeper and real…not merely external…and baptism is not outward cleaning of the flesh only…not merely external…but…the one who desires life…to love and see good days…Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts…for Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God! To worship God in Spirit and truth is not to abuse one another – nor to abuse God’s love. To worship God in Spirit and truth is to let His wisdom teach and prepare and complete what is needed in us. To let His truth sustain us so our love for Him can grow strong and deep even as we are lifted up in thanks and praise rejoicing always with Him and one another. If we knew the gift of God! We can ask!