“Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” 1 Peter 3:6
It is easy to understand why God wants us to do well, but what does it mean to not be afraid with any amazement? The word ‘afraid’ here is the same Greek word used in Ephesians 5:33: “The wife see that she ‘reverence’ her husband.” It is also used four verses earlier (1 Pet. 3:2) where wives are told husbands should be able to see their wives’ chaste conversation coupled with “fear.” So we know that God wants us to fear/reverence/respect our husbands. We are repeatedly told to fear the Lord, and we should extend that attitude to our husbands as well.
The Greek word amazement comes from the word translated “terrified” in Luke 21:9 and Luke 24:37. We will never need to be terrified of being caught if we do well. Some of us may have husbands that may seem terrifying instead of “good and gentle” (1 Pet. 2:18). Even then, God has all the strength, wisdom and comfort we need. Although we may sometimes need to seek outside help, “God has not given us a spirit of timidity [Strong’s], but of power and of love” (2 Tim. 1:7). God wants us to respect our husbands without being terrified. Terror is self-serving and respect has the other’s interest at heart. If we act out of terror, we will take the easiest way out. On the other hand, if we act out of respect, we will do the right thing for the ultimate good of our husband. God tells us not to be terrified in anything (Phil. 1:28). We need to maintain a good conscience that comes with doing well and maintain a trust in the Lord despite challenging circumstances.
Sarah called Abraham “my lord” even in her inward thoughts (Gen. 18:12). Her respect was not to curry favor with Abraham; it was sincere. Our respect should be both inward and outward, without servile fawning or self-interest. Let’s be daughters of Sarah!