1 Peter 3:7 says, “You husbands in the same way, live
with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman…”
This passage can feel insulting to
some women because it highlights how women, in general, are physically weaker
and emotionally tenderer than men. However, is this actually a negative
statement? God’s kingdom works oppositely to how the world works. If we
interpret scripture using scripture as we’re often exhorted, it makes sense to
ask: What does the Bible say about weakness? Consider these verses:
“…God
has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.”
(1 Corinthians 1:27)
“I
was with you in weakness… my message and my preaching were not in persuasive
words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your
faith [would] rest on… the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:3-5)
“And
[Jesus] has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected
in weakness.’ …therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the
power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses…
for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians
12:9-10)
So, to summarize:
1)
God’s
power is perfected in weakness.
2)
When
we are weak, then we are strong.
3)
God
uses the weak to shame the strong.
4)
Women
are weaker than men.
When I first put these verses
together, I started to feel envious of women! So much of
the power that is available to us as believers comes from embracing a position
of weakness and dependence on God. Paradoxically, women are uniquely qualified
to carry the power of God because they are inherently weaker. They can potentially be entrusted with great authority
because they will more naturally acknowledge their dependence on Him.