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1 Peter 3:7 – “Weaker Vessel” – Different Translations
1 Peter 3:7 uses a phrase quite familiar due to the prevalence of the KJV – wives are the “weaker vessel.” That is a very literal and accurate translation and the ESV and the older NASB follow suit. The challenge comes not from the word vessel, but from the word weaker. How are wives “weaker?” Reading different versions of the same text can be very helpful. Interpretations can be found in the various ways other translations paraphrase the meaning.
(CEV) If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn’t as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.
(GNB) In the same way you husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that they are more delicate than you. Treat them with respect, because they also will receive, together with you, God’s gift of life. Do this so that nothing will interfere with your prayers.
(HCSB) Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
(NASB) You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
(NET) Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as the weaker partners and show them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers.
Out of these versions, the one coming closest to what I believe the text teaches is the NET Bible. It implies that the position of subjection is what is weaker. Women are the weaker partner. The text is not about women being weaker physically, emotionally, mentally, or any other way. It is not about their nature, but their position as a partner. Women are not “weaker” but wives are because of the role they willingly subject themselves too in marriage as the weaker vessel. Check the context, the point is about position.
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