HOLY WOMEN. 1st Peter 3:5-6 . Holy women were recognized for their inner beauty, which came from trusting in God and submitting to their husbands. Their hope was in God. God will reward such humility, calm assurance, and certainty that demonstrate their faith. Their beauty was formed by themselves when they were in subjection. “Doing well” involves humbling oneself to submit to one’s husband and accepting their role as God intends.
Stop to consider those women from the past, mentioned in passing. They were faithful to their task of supporting and advising their husbands and guiding their children, knowing the public often chose to overlook them. They were faithful to their calling, filling a God-given role, seemingly overlooked yet truly the heart and soul of a family group that God used. They helped chosen men stay the course, not deviating until God brought them to the end of a specific task or work that has affected a generation. From those women sprang the fruit that resulted in many nations. It must be hard to be in subjection to some unthoughtful men, knowing that they couldn’t accomplish their goals without them.
Trusting God is better than seeking the praise of a fickle crowd. Those holy women wore their grace like a beautiful garment. Living before the Lord alone, in subjection to a husband, sets one apart from the pushy crowd demanding, “Up with women.” Choosing to live before the Lord is what God truly intended. He simply assigned different roles to women and men. Holiness is of great value; such a life can’t be denied, even amid frustration and resentment. A life lived for the Lord, with a husband’s work supported, can bring satisfaction and reward when we’re all transported from this life to heaven, where each will give account of a life lived for God and what truly counted on earth. The heart of a person is seen in a "meek and quiet spirit." A gentle person who controls her speech reveals an inner beauty of character that testifies to her faith in God. That kind of virtue has been tried and proven by "holy women" of the past who have set their hope in God. There is a calm assurance that He will reward true humility and their subjection to the husband's leadership. There is nothing in the context of this passage of scripture that forbids any adornment. Rather, there is a comparison between outward decoration and the inward ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which grows in attractiveness as time and years pass. Youth and beauty fade with the passing of time. Character develops and demonstrates the grace of the soul and the moral strength found in godly women. "Amazement," or hysterical fear because of some potential problem, will not be a concern for a righteous wife.
We all have choices to make, often under pressure. The results aren’t known yet, but God alone can measure the impact when someone chooses to honor another, such as a holy woman who knows her husband depends on her. Supporting another’s role is often hard, but it is not so hard if the other is true to God. When a husband takes the lead and is responsible for teaching God’s word, the faithful wife who supports him truly does well. “Doing well” may be costly, but God has His reasons for allowing hard times in life’s many seasons. Whatever may come, even a spiritual “dry spell” – we must still be committed, for the Lord’s sake, to do well.
The Lord uses His set-apart ones, both brothers and sisters, to fulfill the role He has given them, sometimes without assistance, knowing that from one committed to do well, the results will come later, when His will is fulfilled. We don’t need to fear, though another may be higher; the role He has given is ours to use and to aspire to accomplish for His glory, and to leave the results to Him, knowing that in a coming day a full reckoning will be made.
There are many ways we show respect for each other in a marriage relationship. The words we use, how we use them, and when and where we use them can be the same but mean different things if they are spoken in a gentle, kind way or with a sarcastic tone of voice. Facial expressions, body language, and the way we do something when asked also show respect or a lack of it. Kindness and gentleness are attitudes needed in a properly functioning family, and they will keep a wife from being terrified even if there is unreasonable conduct by an unbelieving husband.
Sarah recognized Abraham’s position in the family and submitted to his leadership, both inwardly and in her actions. Genesis 18:12 expressed her respect for him, but there was no fear that she would be harmed. The beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit describes a woman who knows she is safe and shows a spirit of cooperation that endures as we age.
Personal character does not go away but rather develops as one gets older. Character is what truly defines a woman and is strengthened through life's experiences and the passing years of a God- honoring life. Such inner beauty and outward actions are the kinds of beauty God values in His children.
It is likely that all of us can identify godly women we know or have known whose words, lifestyle, conduct, and attitude have left a lasting impression on us, inspiring us to be like them. Their example, testimony, and faithfulness to God, their husbands, their families, and the Lord’s people in assembly congregations stay with us and motivate us to be like them.