Bible Commentary | 1 Peter 3:7

1 Peter 3:7 (CSB) Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 

live with your wives in an understanding way

In Rediscovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, Wayne Grudem says that this is command to husbands to exercise "considerate leadership."  He writes, be considerate as you live with your wives is literally, 'living together according to knowledge.'"  Grudem continues, “The knowledge Peter intends here may include any knowledge that would be beneficial to the husband-wife relationship: of God’s purposes and principles for marriage; of the wife’s desires, goals, and frustrations; of her strengths and weaknesses in the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms, etc.  A husband who lives according to such knowledge will greatly enrich his marriage – yet such knowledge can only gained through regular study of God’s Word, and regular, unhurried times of private fellowship together as husband and wife.”

Grudem goes on to describe five aspects of considerate leadership:

1. Considerate leadership does not mean harsh or domineering use of authority.  He points out that the vies are described as the "weaker partner," which means they are weaker in strength and authority.  Husbands must not take advantage of this, using it for their own selfish ends.  It may also means “a greater emotional sensitivity,” in that they are often more likely to be hurt deeply by conflict within marriage, or by inconsiderate behavior.  
2. Considerate leadership does not imply equal sharing of leadership in the family.  Peter never suggests that husband should submit to their wives, or that the roles in marriage are interchangeable.  Grudem writes, “Considerate leadership is how the husband exercises leadership in the family; it does not contradict his headship.”
3. Considerate leadership does not mean always giving in to a wife's wishes.  “Husbands must never allow love for their wives to become an excuse for sin.”
4. Considerate leadership is not optional for husbands.  “Husbands cannot rightly opt out of family leadership and become passive non-participants in decisions and activities.  Neither can they rightly make the opposite mistake and exercise harsh, selfish, domineering authority in their families.”

as with a weaker partner

Wayne Grudem points out that the vies are described as the "weaker partner," which means they are weaker in strength and authority.  Husbands must not take advantage of this, using it for their own selfish ends.  It may also means “a greater emotional sensitivity,” in that they are often more likely to be hurt deeply by conflict within marriage, or by inconsiderate behavior.  Rediscover Biblical Manhood & Womanhood

showing them honor

Wayne Grudem writes that honor in this verse “may include kind and affirming words both in private and in public, as well as the highest human priority in allocation of time and money.”