A Christian husbands responsibilities to his wife

I was asked this week about the authority, freedoms and responsibilities a husband has in a marriage relationship.  The question came about because of what he was told regarding a specific situation from someone who was quoting scripture.  Reading and understanding scripture is of course very important.  It is also critical to look at all of scripture and to not allow ourselves to take interpretations out of context and use them to drive behavior.  Wrong belief is not always intentional but sometimes comes about by too narrow a focus on a piece of scripture without considering all of God’s word in context.

Ultimately God reveals himself to us through his word.  His intention is that we have an ever growing loving relationship with him and with each other.  Remember the great Commandment; love God with all your heart, mind and soul and your neighbor as yourself.  If anyone is interpreting scripture in a way that moves you away from this it must be wrong.  Consider carefully anytime scripture seems to be causing dissension or seems to be going counter to proper support of your marriage.

It is true that is says in Ephesians 5:22 that, “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.” But it goes on to say in verse 25, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” and in verse 33, “let each one of you love his wife as himself.”  And, finally, in verse 32 it says, “This mystery (μνστηριον) is a profound one.”  The Greek word tells us this relationship is Sacramental in nature.  So you need to think of your relationship with your wife in these terms!  It is a sacramental relationship that forms the very foundations of the church and one where you are expected to be willing to sacrifice anything and everything for her as Christ did for the Church.

If you put (Agape) love of your wife first, consider her needs always, you will find God and scripture firmly in your camp.  You are right to question anything which appears to increase tension in your relationship with your wife.

“The Church is like a public swimming pool, all the noise is at the shallow end”