What Does The Bible Say About A Wife?
Marriage is an important institution ordained by God, and the Bible has a lot to say about the role and responsibilities of a wife. If you’re wondering what the Bible teaches about wives, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Bible teaches that a godly wife should love, respect and submit to her husband. She should be a helper and companion to him. Her primary responsibilities are caring for her home and family.
A Wife Should Submit to Her Husband
Wives are called to voluntary submission to their husbands
The Bible teaches that wives should submit to their husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:22-24). This does not mean that women are inferior or less intelligent than men. Rather, it reflects God’s design for marriage.
Just as Christ lovingly leads the church, husbands are called to sacrificially lead their wives. Wives submitting to and respecting their husbands demonstrates godly character.
This submission is voluntary, not forced. Husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). They are to serve, protect, and cherish their wives. Submission stems from a wife’s inner trust in God and desire to obey His Word.
It results in blessings when practiced according to biblical standards.
Submission does not mean the wife is inferior or the husband is a dictator
Biblical submission does not imply that wives are inferior to their husbands. In God’s eyes, men and women are created equal and have equal value and dignity (Galatians 3:28). However, God has ordained different roles in marriage.
The husband is called to be the spiritual leader, while the wife supports her husband’s leadership.
Additionally, submission does not mean husbands have unlimited authority over their wives. They are not to be domineering or belittle their wives. Husbands must lead with love, care, and understanding. Wives submit voluntarily as an act of faith, not because they are forced.
The biblical model of submission establishes a complementary partnership where husbands lead with humble authority and wives empower that leadership. It reflects the mutual love and respect between Christ and the church.
But it establishes a godly order in marriage with loving male leadership
God’s design for marriage includes husbands lovingly leading and wives voluntarily submitting to that leadership. This structure provides a godly order and prevents confusion and conflict in marriages.
Husbands are called to be the spiritual leaders in the home, taking responsibility to lovingly guide the family. Wives submit by empowering and supporting their husband’s leadership. This model values both roles equally but gives final authority to the husband.
This loving male headship allows couples to make decisions together, valuing each other’s input. But when they reach an impasse, the husband takes responsibility to make the final decision and his wife supports it.
God’s design of male leadership and female submission produces harmony and blessing when followed according to biblical principles. It reflects Christ’s relationship with the church – loving, sacrificial leadership and voluntary, empowering submission.
A Wife Should Respect Her Husband
The Bible clearly commands wives to respect their husbands. This directive is found in Ephesians 5:33, which states that a wife must “respect her husband.” Additional verses also emphasize the importance of respect within marriage (1 Peter 3:1-6).
Scripture Commands Wives to Respect Their Husbands
Respect is essential for any healthy relationship, but Scripture specifically charges wives to demonstrate respect for their husbands. As Sarah Morgan writes on DesiringGod.org, “We are commanded to respect our husbands because they need respect.”
When wives honor their husbands, it signals value and esteem.
This Means Showing Him Honor and Esteem
Showing respect does not mean blindly obeying every demand. Rather, it involves displaying deference and dignity. It recognizes the husband’s intrinsic worth and authority. Concrete ways wives can show respect include listening attentively, avoiding criticism, and speaking positively about him to others.
Not Belittling or Undermining His God-Given Authority
Unfortunately, many marriages suffer from disrespect. A recent Baylor University study found over 50% of wives admitted rolling their eyes at their spouse. This contempt erodes intimacy. The Bible prohibits such condescension, commanding instead that wives grant honor.
As marriage author Gary Thomas notes, “A wife has the power to build up or tear down a husband like few others.” When she respects him, the marriage thrives.
A Wife Should Be a Helper and Companion
According to the Bible, when God created Eve, He designed her to be a perfect companion and helper for Adam (Genesis 2:18-23). As a wife, a woman is called to support her husband and meet his needs for intimacy and partnership.
Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about a godly wife’s role as a helper and friend to her husband.
God created woman to be a helper and companion for man
In Genesis 2, God saw that it was “not good for the man to be alone” (verse 18). So He decided to make Adam “a helper suitable for him.” This teaches that women were designed specifically for the purpose of completing what was lacking in man and helping him fulfill his God-given duties.
As “one flesh,” husband and wife should work together in living for God’s glory.
Wives are called to support their husbands in life and ministry
Scripture encourages wives to actively assist their husbands with godly counsel, hard work, respect and cooperation (Proverbs 31:10-31, 1 Peter 3:1-6). For example, behind every major leader in the Bible stood a strong supportive wife, such as Sarah (Genesis 18), Rachel and Leah (Genesis 29-31), Abigail (1 Samuel 25:23-31), Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:11-31), Elizabeth (Luke 1), Priscilla (Acts 18, Romans 16:3) and more.
Their partnership allowed God’s work to advance powerfully.
And provide friendship, comfort and intimacy
Beyond helping her husband practically, a wife also fulfills the emotional and sexual needs of marriage through affection, understanding and sexual intimacy (1 Corinthians 7:1-5, Ephesians 5:33, Song of Songs 4).
Many verses depict the precious companionship between husbands and wives (Song of Songs 5:10-16, Proverbs 5:15-19). In a culture filled with brokenness and loneliness, a caring Christian wife can deeply bless her husband.
A Wife Has a Duty to Care for Her Family
The Bible places great emphasis on a wife’s role within the home (Proverbs 31:10-31). She is called to manage domestic affairs and care for her children so that her husband can focus on providing for the family.
The Bible emphasizes a wife’s role in the home
Scripture teaches that wives should submit to their husbands as the head of the household (Ephesians 5:22-24). This does not mean that wives are inferior, but that God has given them different roles. The wife is to be her husband’s helper and partner in life (Genesis 2:18).
Part of her help and partnership is bearing and caring for children, as well as managing the affairs of the home.
She should care for her children and manage domestic affairs
A godly wife is commended for her devotion to her family. She cares for her children’s needs, prepares food for the family, buys wool and flax to make clothes, gets up early to prepare breakfast, and looks for ways to earn extra income through side businesses (Proverbs 31:13-24).
Her focus is on serving her household.
Wives are instructed to love their children (Titus 2:4), teaching and discipling them in godliness. They carry much responsibility for shaping their children’s spiritual lives. In addition, they oversee the daily work needed to keep the household running smoothly – cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, etc. This frees their husbands to go out and work to financially provide for the family.
So her husband can focus on providing for the family
While wives care for domestic needs, husbands are responsible for providing for the family (1 Timothy 5:8). This provision allows the wife to fulfill her homemaking role. The wife’s care of the home enables the husband to be less distracted so he can succeed in his work.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible provides clear guidance for wives. A godly wife submits to and respects her husband’s leadership. She supports him as a helper and companion. And she diligently cares for her home and family.
Following these biblical principles allows wives to fulfill their high calling and lead to greater joy and success in marriage.
