The word Peter uses means “in the same way,” and so requires us to recall the line of thought Peter had been developing. His readers were “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) among their compatriots because they were focused on a better homeland as a result of being “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance…kept in heaven” (1 Peter 1:3–4). That focus left them open to suspicion from their spiritually unborn community, a reality they were to counter with honourable conduct among the Gentiles (1 Peter 2:12). That honourable conduct was to look like a willing submission to “every human institution” (1 Peter 2:13). The implication of that instruction was the command to “honor everyone” (1 Peter 2:17), including a possible unjust master (1 Peter 2:18) or an unbelieving husband (1 Peter 3:1). That same mindset (submission, honouring) Peter carries into his present instruction to “husbands.”
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.