Reverence

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. Romans 12v2 (see below) tells us not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. 1 Peter 3v1-2 tells us something about how married women should be with their husbands. Interestingly, there may be various “voices” on this issue but God’s way is always best.

Primary Text

“In like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives, When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him – to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].” 1 Peter 3v1-2 (AMP)

The Amplified Version really breaks down the word reverence with regards to a husband and wife. As I cannot speak from experience in this regard, I will just provide some insight into what each of these words mean and may the Lord use them to encourage all of us in Jesus name, amen. From the dictionary (www.dictionary.com):

Respect: “to hold in esteem or honor”, “to show regard or consideration for.”

Defer (to): “to yield respectfully in judgment or opinion”, “to submit for decision; refer”.

Revere: “to regard with respect tinged with awe”

Honor: “to hold in honor or high respect, to show a courteous regard for”

Esteem: “to regard highly or favorably; regard with respect or admiration”

Appreciate: “to be grateful or thankful for; to value or regard highly; place a high estimate on; to be fully conscious of; be aware of; to raise in value.”

Prize: “to value or esteem highly.”

Adore: “to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; honor; to like or admire very much.”

Admire: “to regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval.”

Praise: “to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol.”

Devote: “to give up or appropriate to or concentrate on a particular pursuit, occupation, purpose, cause, etc.”

Love: “to have a profoundly tender, passionate affection for (another person); to have a strong liking for; take great pleasure in.” (1 Corinthians 13 also gives us great insight on love)

Enjoy: “to experience with joy; take pleasure in.”

Supplementary Text

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12v2 (NLT)

Prayer: If as a married woman you find that reverence towards your husband, in its entirety is something you fall short in or as a wife to be someday, you desire this, why not ask the Lord to help you in this.