Likewise…whatwise?

Our pastor is currently preaching through 1st Peter and has reached chapter 3. Two weeks ago we looked at likewise ye wives . . . Last week it was likewise ye husbands . . .

Both verses begin with likewise. He didn’t spend much time on the word likewise but it has always captivated me. Peter used it for a reason. What was that reason?

Likewise means in a similar fashion, in the same way. We could say Peter just threw it in there as a filler, as we do with words like well and so. But I believe the Bible is the Word of God and that each word is important and used for a reason. We don’t have to go crazy looking for some special significance, but the use of a word indicates something. So we need to back up a little and see if we can find what Peter is alluding to with likewise.

In chapter 2 verse 11 he says, Dearly beloved and begins to exhort and encourage them concerning their conversation (behavior) among the Gentiles. In verses 11-17 he speaks generally to the whole church, but in verse 18 he begins to address specific subgroups among them.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

He instructs servants how to respond to both good and gentle masters as well as froward masters. And it is the same way – be subject will all fear and suffer wrongdoing patiently. And then he offers Christ as their example and role model:

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  

This brings us to our first likewise, Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives. And in fact he presents the same scenario - the possibility of good and gentle (believing) husbands and froward (disobedient) husbands. Just as servants are to live in reverence and patience, with Christ as their role model, so too wives. That is, likewise, in the same way.

Then, Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge . . . But something is different. While with servants and wives he speaks of the good and gentle as well as the froward, he doesn’t say anything about that here. If anything, he seems to assume all the wives are believers, giving honour unto the wife…as being heirs together of the grace of life. And yet we know people, sometimes in marriage there are differences, disagreements, trying times. And since his instruction here is, dwell with them according to knowledge, we might also surmise that the men in Peter’s day found it just as hard to understand women as men today!

Oh my, is this a jab at women?

Generally, women are far more complicated than men. Wives tend to be exasperated with the predictability and short-sightedness of their husbands. Men, on the other hand, are often confused and exasperated with the unpredictability of their wives. How does likewise fit in here? Husbands, with fear and patience, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, with Christ as your role model.

Peter uses likewise one other time in his epistle, 5.5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Let’s see if my explanation of likewise in chapter 3 applies here.

5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Likewise, in the same way, with the same attitude as the elders. And what was to mark the attitude of the elders? Submission to Christ, as an example to the flock, waiting for the coming of Christ and His reward. As Peter sums it up, humility. Yeah, it fits.

Likewise. What a good word. Likewise is used elsewhere in the New Testament and I don’t know why it has only captured my attention here. Obviously, I need to pay better attention. Meanwhile, I praise the Lord for Peter’s use here!