A “vessel” is a container in which one can carry and/or store things, such as grain or wine (John 19:29). A vessel was commonly made of clay and thus breakable, that is, weak. By definition, it had to be handled with care—and the weaker the vessel, the greater the required care. All people are made of clay (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:6), and inherently fragile (Genesis 3:19). Peter now says that the woman (literally, “the feminine”) is “weaker” than the man. (Note: the comparative underscores that the man is also weak, for he is also made of clay.) In physical terms a woman is typically weaker than a man simply due to smaller bone structure and less muscle. Emotionally it is also true that a woman is commonly more prone to being anxious about tomorrow’s needs than a man is. Due to the monthly fluctuations in her body, the average woman is also more vulnerable to mood swings than the average man. Peter tells husbands to take all this (and more) into account as they “live with” their wives; they need to bestow on them great care. The fact that a vessel was commonly carried on one’s head provides a picture of the concentration with which the husband was to care for his wife.
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.