Christian Ethics and Domestic Violence: An Exegetical Study of 1 Peter 3:1–7 and Its Implications for Contemporary Marital Relationships

Abstract

Domestic violence remains a major social, moral, and pastoral challenge across the world. It affects people of different cultures, religions, and economic backgrounds, including Christian families. Although the Bible presents marriage as a covenant of love, mutual respect, and faithfulness, some biblical passages have been misunderstood and used to support abusive relationships. One of such passage is 1 Peter 3:1–7, where wives are instructed to submit to their husbands and husbands are commanded to honor their wives. This study examines the passage through historical and grammatical exegesis to determine its meaning and relevance for Christian marriages today. The study adopts the historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation and engages relevant literature on Christian ethics, domestic violence, and Petrine studies. The findings show that Peter's teaching does not support domestic violence or male domination. Instead, the passage calls wives and husbands to live in ways that reflect the character of Christ. Peter's command that husbands should treat their wives with understanding and honor them as "co-heirs of the grace of life" provides a strong biblical foundation for mutual respect and human dignity within marriage. The study argues that every form of domestic violence, physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, economic, or spiritual is contrary to New Testament Christian ethics. It concludes that churches, theological institutions, and Christian leaders have a responsibility to interpret this passage correctly and promote marriages that reflect Christ's love, justice, and compassion.