Marriage is a sacred bond, and the Bible provides guidance on how a man should honor, love, and care for his wife. Today, we’ll uncover what Scripture says about building a godly marriage.
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What Does The Bible Say About How A Man Should Treat His Wife
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
This verse emphasizes the sacrificial love that husbands should have for their wives. It calls husbands to love their wives in the same way that Jesus loved the church and gave himself up for it. This means husbands should be willing to put their wives’ needs before their own and make sacrifices for their well-being.
It is a reminder that love within a marriage should be selfless and willing to give up personal desires for the sake of the other person. Husbands are called to emulate the love and servant-heartedness of Jesus in their relationship with their wives, prioritizing their care and putting their needs first.
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 instructs husbands to be considerate and respectful towards their wives. It acknowledges the differences in physical strength but emphasizes that both husband and wife are equal heirs of God’s grace and the gift of life. Husbands are called to treat their wives with honor and respect, recognizing their value and worth in God’s eyes.
By treating their wives well, husbands create an atmosphere of love and trust in their marriage. It also underscores the importance of genuine respect in a marriage relationship and how it can impact one’s spiritual life, highlighting the connection between healthy relationships and a vibrant prayer life.
Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
This verse highlights the importance of expressing love and kindness towards wives, admonishing husbands not to be harsh or cruel to them. It is a reminder that love should be the foundation of a husband’s interactions with his wife, and that harshness or cruelty has no place in a healthy, loving relationship.
In practicing love and kindness, husbands create an environment of emotional safety and security for their wives. It encourages husbands to communicate with gentleness and patience, fostering open and loving communication within the marriage.
Proverbs 18:22
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
This verse highlights the blessing of finding a wife. It recognizes that a wife is a precious gift from the Lord, and in having a wife, a man receives favor from God. It emphasizes the value and importance of a wife within a marital relationship.
By acknowledging the goodness and favor that come from having a wife, this verse provides a positive perspective on marriage and encourages husbands to cherish and appreciate their wives. It prompts husbands to recognize the blessings that their wives bring into their lives and motivates them to treat their wives with love, honor, and gratitude.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse highlights the importance of a husband fulfilling his role as a provider for his family. It stresses the responsibility husbands have to provide and care for their wives and children. Neglecting this responsibility is seen as a denial of faith and a failure to live up to the standards of a believer.
By emphasizing the duty of providing for one’s family, this verse underscores the significance of financial and material provision within a marriage. It reminds husbands of their role as providers and encourages them to take this responsibility seriously, ensuring the well-being and security of their wives and children.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
“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. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
This passage speaks to the mutual sexual responsibility and unity within a marriage. It stresses the importance of husbands and wives fulfilling their sexual obligations to one another, recognizing that each spouse has authority over the other’s body.
It also acknowledges the need for periods of abstinence within a marriage, but encourages couples to come together again to avoid temptations and maintain self-control. The passage highlights the significance of a healthy sexual relationship in a marriage and recognizes the potential for temptation and discord if this aspect of the relationship is neglected.
Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
This verse speaks to the unity and oneness that is formed in marriage. It highlights the sacred bond between a husband and wife, characterized by leaving one’s parents and becoming united as one flesh.
By emphasizing the importance of leaving the parental home and establishing a new family unit, this verse underscores the need for husbands to prioritize their relationship with their wives. It reminds husbands of their commitment to their spouse, encouraging them to nurture and protect the unity that is formed in marriage.
Malachi 2:16
“The man who hates and divorces his wife, declares the LORD, the God of Israel, does violence to the one he should protect, says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.”
This verse addresses the seriousness of divorce and the harm it causes to the covenanted relationship between a husband and wife. It conveys God’s disapproval of divorce and highlights the responsibility of the husband to protect his wife.
By warning against hatred, divorce, and unfaithfulness, this verse reminds husbands of their duty to honor and protect their marital commitment. It emphasizes the importance of faithfulness, loyalty, and fidelity within a marriage, calling husbands to guard against anything that could damage the bond between them and their wives.
Proverbs 14:1
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
This verse acknowledges the influence and impact a wife has on her household. It highlights the wisdom of a wife who builds up and maintains her home, fostering a positive and nurturing environment.
By contrasting the wise woman with the foolish one, this verse encourages husbands to value and appreciate the role of their wives in creating a harmonious and loving home. It calls husbands to support and encourage their wives as they contribute to the well-being and stability of the family.
Proverbs 31:10-12
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
This passage extols the virtues of a wife of noble character. It recognizes the great worth and value of a virtuous wife, emphasizing the trust and confidence her husband has in her.
By highlighting the positive impact a wife has on her husband’s life, this passage underscores the importance of appreciating and valuing one’s wife. It calls husbands to recognize and affirm the contributions and qualities of their wives, fostering an atmosphere of love, support, and mutual respect in the marriage relationship.
Proverbs 31:28-29
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'”
This verse speaks to the honor and praise that a wife and mother receives when she fulfills her role with excellence. It portrays the admiration and appreciation a husband has for his wife in recognizing her noble character and exceptional qualities.
By expressing praise and admiration for his wife, a husband strengthens the bond between them and affirms her worth and significance. This verse encourages husbands to acknowledge and commend their wives for their hard work, sacrifices, and contributions to the family, creating a culture of affirmation and mutual respect in the marriage.
1 Corinthians 11:11
“Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.”
This verse emphasizes the interdependence of husbands and wives. It recognizes that both men and women need each other and are meant to work together in harmony.
By underscoring the mutual reliance between husband and wife, this verse encourages husbands to appreciate and value the perspectives, talents, and contributions of their wives. It promotes a partnership mentality within marriage, based on equality, respect, and collaboration.
1 Corinthians 16:14
“Do everything in love.”
This verse encourages husbands to approach all their actions and interactions with their wives through the lens of love. It serves as a reminder to prioritize love in every aspect of married life.
By striving to do everything with love, husbands demonstrate their commitment to a Christ-like love that permeates their words, actions, and attitudes. It promotes an atmosphere of kindness, compassion, and understanding within the marriage, fostering a strong and healthy relationship.
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 a wife has on her husband’s reputation and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of a wife’s character and conduct in influencing her husband’s life.
By stressing the value of a virtuous wife, this verse encourages husbands to appreciate and honor their wives for their positive influence. It calls husbands to support and encourage their wives in cultivating noble character, recognizing that their wife’s virtue reflects on their own reputation.
1 Peter 3:1-2
“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, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”
This passage speaks to the approach wives should have toward their husbands, particularly in the context of an unbelieving husband. It encourages wives to demonstrate purity, reverence, and respect through their actions, as it may influence their husbands to consider the gospel.
While this verse specifically addresses wives, husbands can learn from it by acknowledging the importance of their wives’ behavior and character. It reminds husbands of the impact they can have on their spouses through their own actions and character, inspiring them to lead lives that reflect God’s love.
1 Peter 3:8-9
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
This verse provides guidance for how husbands should interact with their wives (and everyone else). It encourages them to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble. It also emphasizes the importance of responding to wrongdoing with blessings instead of returning evil for evil.
Adopting these qualities and responses promotes a harmonious and caring relationship between husbands and their wives. It encourages husbands to approach conflicts and challenges with humility, seeking understanding and resolution in a gentle and loving manner.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
This famous passage describes the characteristics and attributes of love. It serves as a guide for husbands in how they should love their wives.
By embodying the qualities of patience, kindness, humility, selflessness, forgiveness, and trust, husbands can cultivate a love that truly reflects the love of Christ. This verse serves as a reminder that love is not merely a feeling but an active choice and commitment, guiding husbands to prioritize love in their relationships with their wives.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse emphasizes the power of gentle and kind words in diffusing conflict and fostering harmony. It encourages husbands to respond to their wives with gentleness and to avoid harsh or hurtful words that can escalate tensions.
By choosing to respond with kindness and patience, husbands can contribute to an atmosphere of peace and understanding in their marriage. This verse reminds husbands of the importance of their words in building up and edifying their wives, encouraging effective communication and mutual respect in their relationship.
Proverbs 19:14
“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
This verse recognizes the role of God in providing a prudent and wise wife. It underscores the significance of a wife’s character and wisdom in a marriage.
By acknowledging God’s sovereignty in bringing a wife into a husband’s life, this verse encourages husbands to value and appreciate the wisdom and guidance their wives bring. It prompts husbands to seek their wives’ insights and opinions, recognizing their valuable contributions to the well-being and success of the marriage.
Proverbs 20:6
“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”
This verse speaks to the rarity and value of finding a faithful person, including a faithful spouse. It recognizes that true faithfulness is not common and should be highly treasured.
By acknowledging the significance of faithfulness, this verse prompts husbands to be steadfast and loyal in their commitment to their wives. It calls husbands to prioritize faithfulness, maintaining their vows and avoiding actions or behaviors that could jeopardize the trust and security within the marriage.
Proverbs 31:11
“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
This verse speaks to the trust and confidence a husband has in his wife. It recognizes her reliability and competence, highlighting the security and satisfaction that comes from having a trustworthy and capable wife.
By expressing full confidence in their wives, husbands affirm their value and capabilities. It encourages husbands to trust their wives to handle family matters and make wise decisions, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and partnership within the marriage.
Proverbs 31:31
“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
This verse acknowledges the hard work and accomplishments of a wife and calls for her to be honored and praised for her contributions.
By honoring and praising their wives, husbands demonstrate appreciation and gratitude for their efforts. It encourages husbands to publicly acknowledge and commend their wives, elevating their status and valuing their significant contributions to their family and community.
In summary, these Bible verses offer guidance to husbands on how to treat their wives with love, honor, and respect. They emphasize the importance of sacrificial love, kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness. They remind husbands to appreciate their wives, value their contributions, and uphold their marital commitment. These verses also point to the importance of effective communication, emotional support, and creating a loving, nurturing environment within the marriage. Ultimately, by following these teachings and seeking to embody the qualities described in these verses, husbands can cultivate strong, harmonious, and God-honoring relationships with their wives.