Monday | 19 January 2026
The apostle Peter exhorted every husband to honour his wife as ‘the weaker vessel’. 1Pe 3:7. A woman’s weakness is not referring to a physical inferiority to men but, rather, to her unique connection to travail. This association between weakness and the travail through which something is brought forth and multiplied, was exemplified by Jesus. As the apostle Paul noted, ‘For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God’. 2Co 13:4. Christ’s crucifixion was the culminating event of His travailing journey from Gethsemane through which one Seed became a great multitude of seeds in one Sheaf of firstfruits. 1Co 15:20.
The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to teach men everywhere to take the initiative in prayer, both in the church as well as in their homes. They are to pray within the boundaries of their sanctification, surrendering their lives, and those for whom they care, to Christ. They are to deal with the issues that they confront in their households, and in the world, through prayer, without anger and disputing. 1Ti 2:8. This is the implication of their submission to the headship of Christ.
King David exemplified the prayer of a man who was forsaking wrath and doubting, and was submitting himself to the lordship of Christ in the midst of familial distress. In response to the rebellion of his son, Absolom, which was the fruit of his own sin, David prayed, ‘Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God”. But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.’ Psa 3:1‑4.
Further Study:
1 Timothy 2
References:
1Pe 3:7
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
2Co 13:4
For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
1Co 15:20
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1Ti 2:8
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Psa 3:1-4
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.