What does it mean for a wife to "respect her husband"? Foundational Verse “Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33) Rooted in God’s Design • From creation, God established a complementary order: “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” (Genesis 2:18) • Respect flows from recognizing that order. Just as a husband’s call to love is modeled after Christ (Ephesians 5:25), a wife’s call to respect mirrors the church’s honoring of Christ (Ephesians 5:24). • Scripture presents this pattern consistently: “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18) Defining Respect Biblically 1. Honor his God-given role • Acknowledge and encourage his leadership in the home (1 Corinthians 11:3). 2. Speak with esteem • Words carry weight: “The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21) • Choose language that builds up, not tears down (Proverbs 31:26). 3. Support his decisions with a willing spirit • This does not silence a wife’s wisdom; rather, it offers input respectfully, then trusts him to lead (Proverbs 31:11). 4. Cultivate an attitude of trust and admiration • “The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” profoundly influences a husband (1 Peter 3:1-2). 5. Express gratitude • Thank him for efforts, sacrifices, and spiritual leadership (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Practical Expressions of Respect • Listen without interrupting when he shares burdens or ideas. • Pray for him daily and let him know you do. • Speak well of him in front of others—family, friends, children. • Encourage his walk with Christ by celebrating steps of obedience. • Follow through joyfully on jointly made decisions, even when preference differs. • Demonstrate physical affection and kindness; respect is both verbal and non-verbal. • Guard the home atmosphere—avoid sarcasm, eye-rolling, or dismissive tones. What Respect Is Not • Blind obedience to sin—if asked to violate God’s Word, a wife must obey God first (Acts 5:29). • Suppression of God-given gifts—Scripture celebrates a wife’s industry, wisdom, and initiative (Proverbs 31:13-31). • Fearful silence—healthy communication, offered with gentleness, strengthens unity (Ephesians 4:15). • Enduring abuse—Scripture condemns violence; seeking help honors God’s design for safety and dignity (Psalm 11:5). Blessings That Flow From Respect • It affirms the gospel picture of Christ and the church, giving the world a living testimony (Ephesians 5:32). • It fosters a secure environment where a husband is emboldened to love sacrificially. • It models godliness to children, shaping future generations (Titus 2:4-5). • It invites God’s favor: “The righteous who walks in integrity—blessed are his children after him.” (Proverbs 20:7) |
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