The concept of family government is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where the family is seen as the foundational unit of society, ordained by God. The structure and governance of the family are designed to reflect divine order and purpose, with specific roles and responsibilities assigned to each member.

Headship and Leadership

The Bible establishes the husband and father as the head of the family, responsible for leadership and provision. Ephesians 5:23 states, "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior." This headship is not one of domination but of loving leadership, mirroring Christ's sacrificial love for the church. The husband's role involves guiding the family in spiritual and moral matters, ensuring that the household follows the teachings of Scripture.

Role of the Wife

The wife is called to be a helper and partner to her husband, a role first established in Genesis 2:18 : "The LORD God also said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.'" The wife's role involves supporting her husband, managing the household, and nurturing the children. Proverbs 31 provides a detailed description of a virtuous wife, highlighting her industriousness, wisdom, and care for her family.

Children and Obedience

Children are instructed to obey and honor their parents, as stated in Ephesians 6:1-3 : "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.'" This command underscores the importance of respect and obedience within the family structure, promising blessings for those who adhere to it.

Discipline and Instruction

Parents are tasked with the discipline and instruction of their children, guiding them in the ways of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Discipline is to be administered with love and care, avoiding harshness or provocation, as cautioned in Ephesians 6:4 : "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Mutual Love and Respect

The governance of the family is to be characterized by mutual love and respect among all members. Colossians 3:18-21 provides guidance: "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." This passage emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships within the family, fostering an environment of harmony and godliness.

Spiritual Leadership

The family is also a spiritual unit, with the responsibility of worship and devotion to God. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." The family is to be a place where faith is taught, practiced, and lived out daily.

In summary, the government of the family, as outlined in Scripture, is a divinely ordained structure that promotes order, love, and spiritual growth. Each member has a distinct role that contributes to the overall health and function of the family, reflecting God's design and purpose for human relationships.Genesis 3:16
To the woman he said, I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you.
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Genesis 18:19
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.
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Esther 1:20,22
And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.
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1 Corinthians 7:10
And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
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1 Corinthians 11:3,7-9
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
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Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
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Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
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1 Timothy 3:2,4,5
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
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1 Peter 3:1,6
Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
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Human Government.
... Therefore, were the scriptures entirely silent (which they are not) on the subject
of human governments, and on the subject of family government, as they ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xx human government.htm

Parental Duty.
... XXVI. PARENTAL DUTY. The first duty of father and mother to their child
is to see that they are a unit on family government. Second ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xxvi parental duty.htm

How Herod, when He had Married Mariamne Took Jerusalem with the ...
... men lost the government by their dissensions one with another, and it came to Herod,
the son of Antipater, who was of no more than a vulgar family, and of no ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 16 how herod when.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... The life of religion, and the welfare and glory of both the Church and
the State, depend much on family government and duty. If ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature 2.htm

On Trusting in the Mercy of God.
... Often in family government the parent has an agonizing trial; he would sooner bear
the pain himself thrice told than to inflict it upon his son; but interests ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/ii on trusting in the.htm

Maximinus C??sar Having Come at that Time into the Government...
... 1. Maximinus C??sar [2642] having come at that time into the government, as if to ...
sake of a secular Grecian education, as he belonged to a very wealthy family. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv maximinus caesar having.htm

The First Kings.
... They got tired of the sovereignty of God, visible only in written rules of conduct,
family government, and the prophet-judges, and desired to imitate their ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Family Religion.
... Family religion includes parental bible instruction, family prayer, and
religious education, government, discipline and example. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iii family religion.htm

The Family from which I am Derived is not an Ignoble One...
... had a son called Matthias Curtus, and that in the first year of the government of
Hyrcanus ... Thus have I set down the genealogy of my family as I have found it ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 1 the family from.htm

The Family of a Saint
... from that instinctive conservatism of the citizen and landowner who sticks obstinately
to his class and family traditions ... The Government eyed it with disapproval ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the family of a.htm

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