The Bible offers valuable guidance for wives, highlighting their unique role in marriage and family. These teachings encourage love, respect, and partnership in building a strong home. Today, we’ll examine what Scripture says about the responsibilities of a wife and how they reflect God’s design for marriage.
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What Does The Bible Say About Duties Of A Wife
Ephesians 5:22
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of a wife’s submission to her husband, mirroring the submission of the church to Christ. It highlights the role of a wife in honoring and respecting her husband’s leadership and authority.
Submission does not imply inferiority but rather reflects a God-ordained order in the marriage relationship, where the husband is called to lovingly lead and the wife to support and submit.
Proverbs 31:10
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
This verse extols the value of a wife of noble character. It emphasizes her worth and highlights her virtues and qualities.
A wife who displays noble character is a rare and precious find. She brings immense value, stability, and blessings to her husband, family, and those around her.
1 Peter 3:1
“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.”
This verse reminds wives to submit to their husbands, even if their husbands are unbelievers. It suggests that a wife’s respectful demeanor and conduct may eventually influence her spouse to embrace the Christian faith.
A wife’s behavior and love can be transformative and can serve as a powerful witness to her husband, ultimately leading him to a relationship with Christ.
Proverbs 12:4
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
This verse highlights the impact of a wife’s character on her husband’s life. A wife who possesses noble character is a source of honor and brings joy to her husband.
Conversely, a wife who lacks character and integrity can bring shame and sadness, causing decay and turmoil within her husband’s life.
Titus 2:4-5
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
This verse instructs younger women, including wives, to exhibit certain virtues and qualities. It emphasizes the importance of love, self-control, purity, kindness, and submission to their husbands.
By embodying these qualities, wives can uphold the sanctity of marriage and effectively represent the teachings of God, preventing any negative perceptions of the Word.
1 Corinthians 7:34
“An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.”
This verse acknowledges the different concerns and priorities of married and unmarried women. It recognizes that a married woman’s primary focus is on her husband’s satisfaction and well-being.
While both unmarried and married women can serve the Lord, a wife’s devotion extends to her husband as she seeks to fulfill her marital responsibilities and bring harmony to the relationship.
1 Peter 3:7
“Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
This verse addresses husbands, urging them to treat their wives with consideration, respect, and honor. It recognizes that wives are equal partners, heirs of the grace of life, deserving of love and respect.
Husbands are called to honor their wives, recognizing their worth, and creating an environment where their prayers are not hindered.
Proverbs 19:14
“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
This verse highlights the significance of a prudent and wise wife, asserting that she is a gift from God. It acknowledges the invaluable role she plays in the household.
A wife’s wisdom, discernment, and practicality bring stability, integrity, and blessing to her marriage and family, surpassing the value of material possessions.
1 Corinthians 11:3
“But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
This verse describes the hierarchical order within the family structure, establishing Christ as the head of man and man as the head of woman. It outlines the divine order and the corresponding roles for husbands and wives.
Understanding and respecting this order allows for harmony, love, and effective functioning within the marital relationship.
Proverbs 14:1
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
This verse underscores the impact of a wise woman on her home. It highlights the importance of her words, actions, and decisions in either building a strong foundation or causing destruction.
A wise wife invests in her marriage and family, fostering unity, love, and growth. Conversely, a foolish wife can undermine the stability and harmony within her household.
Colossians 3:18
“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
This verse reiterates the call for wives to submit to their husbands, emphasizing that it is an appropriate response within the context of living in accordance with God’s will.
Honoring the role of leadership assigned to husbands, wives can contribute to a healthy and God-honoring marriage relationship.
Proverbs 21:9
“Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”
This verse cautions against the detrimental effects of a contentious and argumentative wife. It suggests that it is better to live in a small and uncomfortable space than to endure constant strife.
A peaceful and harmonious home is far more desirable than the spaciousness of a house shared with a quarrelsome spouse.
1 Timothy 5:14
“So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.”
This verse provides guidance to widows, encouraging them to consider remarriage and embrace their roles as wives and mothers. It emphasizes the importance of managing their homes effectively, being diligent and avoiding any actions that could bring shame or criticism.
By embracing their new season of life and fulfilling their responsibilities, widows can defend themselves against the enemy’s attempts to slander and besmirch their reputation.
Proverbs 31:11
“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
This verse praises the trustworthiness and reliability of a godly wife. It acknowledges that her husband can have complete confidence in her character and abilities.
A wife who is trustworthy and dependable enriches her husband’s life, providing him with security, companionship, and a sense of fulfillment.
1 Corinthians 7:3-4
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.”
This verse speaks to the reciprocal nature of marital intimacy, highlighting the importance of both spouses meeting each other’s needs and desires.
It emphasizes the selflessness required in a marriage, where each partner considers the other’s physical and emotional needs before their own.
Proverbs 31:12
“She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
This verse commends the positive impact a godly wife has on her husband. It acknowledges that she brings him continuous good and blesses him throughout their shared life.
A wife’s words, actions, and support contribute to her husband’s well-being, happiness, and success.
1 Peter 3:3-4
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
This verse encourages wives to prioritize inner beauty over external appearances. It emphasizes the value God places on a gentle and quiet spirit.
A godly wife focuses on cultivating inner qualities such as kindness, humility, and a calm disposition, which truly reflect her beauty and worth.
Proverbs 31:27
“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
This verse praises the diligence and responsibility of a wife in managing her household. It recognizes her commitment to oversee and take care of the practical aspects of family life.
A wife who is proactive and diligent brings prosperity and order to her home, demonstrating her dedication to her family’s well-being.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
This verse reminds wives to prioritize modesty in their appearance, focusing on their character and good deeds rather than material adornments.
A godly wife draws attention to her faith through her actions and the way she conducts herself, rather than seeking validation or affirmation through outward extravagance.
Proverbs 19:13
“A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.”
This verse contrasts the negative impact of a quarrelsome wife with the detrimental consequences of a foolish child. It portrays incessant quarreling as a source of frustration and destruction.
A peaceful and harmonious home is far more preferable than living with the constant strife caused by a nagging and contentious wife.
1 Timothy 3:11
“In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.”
This verse calls for wives to embody virtues that merit respect and honor. It discourages gossip and highlights the importance of self-control and trustworthiness in all areas of life.
A wife who is characterized by integrity and discretion brings honor to herself, her family, and her Lord.
Proverbs 21:19
“Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.”
This verse emphasizes the discomfort and displeasure caused by a quarrelsome and nagging wife. It suggests that it is preferable to live in an undesirable place than to endure the constant strife within the confines of one’s own home.
A peaceful and harmonious home is of far greater value than external comfort and material abundance.
1 Corinthians 11:9
“Neither was man created for the woman, but woman for man.”
This verse acknowledges the divine order of creation, affirming that woman was created for man’s companionship, support, and partnership.
Understanding this order can help wives recognize their role and purpose within marriage, fostering mutual respect, love, and cooperation.
Proverbs 31:28
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
This verse celebrates the honor and appreciation bestowed upon a godly wife by her children and husband. It recognizes her contributions, sacrifices, and the impact of her love and dedication.
A wife who embodies godly virtues, fulfills her responsibilities, and nurtures her family receives genuine praise and recognition.