Was doing some more meditation, and decided to look up some different translations of 1 Peter 3:7.
These are some that are a little less literal, and may feel even more reassuring:
"The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God's grace, you're equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don't run aground." - 1 Peter 3:7 (MSG translation)
"In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." - 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT translation)
And regarding NWT version which is a bit more literal, it does also leave even more room for mediation to reinforce a very sobering perspective for men who do not respect their wives
"You husbands, in the same way, continue dwelling with them according to knowledge. Assign them honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one, since they are also heirs with you of the undeserved favor of life, in order for your prayers not to be hindered. - 1 Peter 3:7 (NWT)
Highlight: "since they are also heirs with you of the undeserved favour of life"
I've found people tend to pay less attention to this part, but it is so, so powerful for perspective. It is a very big reminder that "news flash, your wife is a human being just like you, and reminder the life God has given you is not even something *you* deserve. What makes you think you are fit to play God yourself and decide your wife is deserving of subhuman treatment?"
It also brings to mind the parable of the wicked slave. Because it's true even a good wife is not perfect, if a man were to penalize her for being human that man should be warned he too then might be penalized according to his own sins before God. (Is it really worth it to inflict suffering upon her for the straw in her eye, when you have a rafter in your own?)
Honestly I think I kind of skimmed that part previously too, because the wording was quite abstract and I kind of settled on "well bottom line is clear: honour your wife."
But more recently I've focused my personal study on the meaning of "undeserved kindness" from Jehovah. It really changed my perspective words myself and other people, and it's so amazing I'm just ready to shout it from the rooftops for basically every topic now.
Keeping in mind not only how I should behave, and how is like to feel towards people, but also a mental perspective of God's underserved kindness changed my perspective words myself and other people. It makes such a big difference in not only training our habits to behave well, but being conscious of this perspective influences our mind, attitude, and feelings towards others in a variety of situations, including but not limited to how we ought to treat people we feel we know very well.
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