Household Teaching of Peter

NT writers adopted a number of conventional literary devices to aid them in the teaching of ethics. One significant device of this sort is referred to as a household code. This term is a translation of the German term "house table," which Martin Luther originally coined and which was taken up to describe the extended passages in the NT that address various members of a household.

A number of sections in the NT letters have been classified in this way, ¹ and related teaching occurs in the writings of the late first and second century apostolic fathers. ²

Submission to Authorities

The Apostle Peter Taxes calls in 1 Peter 2:13-17 for submission to the government authorities. This would include a general attitude of respect toward those in authority, ³ which would be demonstrated in the specific acts of paying taxes ⁴ and offering prayers in behalf of civil leaders. ⁵

The rationale is that the civil government has been ordained by God and that such behavior will disprove the false accusations of outsiders who have slandered Christian households as being disloyal to the city state. Apparently this kind of accusation was a current problem; the implication from the letter is that even exemplary behavior in this regard might not stop the abuse from unbelievers. ²

Teaching on Marriage

A Jewish Marriage Ceremony 1 Peter 3:1-7 closes the household code with teaching addressed to wives and husbands. Wives are to be submissive to husbands, and the two possible scenarios of mixed and Christian marriages are envisaged. A Christian wife whose husband was an unbeliever might experience harsh treatment for insubordination because of her foreign religion. ⁶ Exemplary behavior might also be linked to her faith and so win over the unbelieving mate to Christ.

Outer adornment is the specific aspect of respectable conduct given to illustrate the teaching. ⁷ Spiritual inner adornment is commended (a gentle and quiet spirit), and Sarah's demeanor provides a pattern. Christian husbands are to refuse to treat their wives harshly. ⁸ They are fellow heirs of eternal life; failure to treat them with the respect they are due as human beings and fellow heirs will affect their relationship with God. ⁹ ²

Question for Discussion

1. One of the marks of belonging to a New Testament household was the adherence to certain kinds of behavior e.g. paying of taxes, love and respect between husbands and wives. What kind of household order do you follow?

Bibliography and Notes

¹ Colossians 3:18-4:1; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 5:1-2; 6:1-2; Titus 2:1-3:8; 1 Peter 2:13-3:7 ² Selections from "Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Development" editors Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids. A Compendium of Contemporary Christian Scholarship Copyright All rights reserved. ³ cf. Titus 3:1; Romans 13:1-4 ⁴ cf. Romans 13:6-7 ⁵ cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Clement 61.1.3 ⁶ 1 Peter 3:1-2 ⁷ cf. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 ⁸ 1 Peter 3:7 ⁹ cf.1 Timothy 2:8 ¹⁰ Ephesians 2.19

Spiritual inner adornment is commended (a gentle and quiet spirit)

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