In the Christian tradition, the role of a husband is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, which emphasizes love, commitment, and spiritual leadership within the family. One of the significant duties of a husband is to remain with his wife, even if she is an unbeliever. This principle is primarily derived from the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who addressed the complexities of mixed-faith marriages in the early Christian communities.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul provides clear guidance on this matter in his first letter to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 7:12-13 , Paul writes, "To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him." This passage underscores the importance of maintaining the marital bond, even when one spouse does not share the Christian faith.

Spiritual Leadership and Witness

The duty of a husband to remain with an unbelieving wife is not merely a matter of maintaining marital stability but also serves a higher spiritual purpose. The presence of a believing spouse can be a powerful witness to the unbelieving partner. In 1 Peter 3:1 , it is written, "Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands so that, even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives." While this verse specifically addresses wives, the principle of winning over an unbelieving spouse through conduct applies to husbands as well.

Sanctification of the Family

Paul further elaborates on the spiritual implications of a mixed-faith marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:14 : "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy." This passage suggests that the believing spouse brings a measure of sanctification to the family, creating an environment where the grace and love of God can be experienced by all members, including the children.

Commitment and Love

The duty of a husband to remain with his unbelieving wife is also an expression of the Christian call to love unconditionally. Ephesians 5:25 instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This sacrificial love mirrors Christ's love for the church and serves as a model for how husbands should love their wives, regardless of their faith.

Conclusion

The duty of a husband to remain with his unbelieving wife is a testament to the enduring principles of love, commitment, and spiritual leadership found in the Bible. By adhering to these teachings, a husband not only honors his marital vows but also serves as a conduit of God's grace and love within his family.1 Corinthians 7:11,12,14,16
But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians v. 22-24
... Ver.28. "Even so ought husbands to love their own wives," saith he ... What then, a man
may say, if our duty is done, and yet she does not follow the example? ...
/.../homily xx ephesians v 22-24.htm

1 Cor. vii. 1, 2
... thus, and writing, (Ephesians 5:25, 33.) "Husbands, love your ... if when men have their
own wives they commit ... for the abundant easiness of the duty, saying, "If ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xix 1 cor vii.htm

On Friendship with the World
... The nearest relations are husbands and wives. ... You cannot part with them while they
are young; it being your duty to "train them up," with all care, "in the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 80 on friendship with.htm

Third Sunday after Easter
... But he who assigned my duty, whose command I execute ... and beget sons and daughters;
and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after easter.htm

Letter clxxxviii. (Canonica Prima. )
... laid down concerning them, it is our duty to reject ... to the woman of Samaria, who
had five husbands, "he whom ... and are in fornication be retained by their wives. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter clxxxviii canonica prima.htm

Of Matrimony.
... Much more will it be his duty to observe his pledge to the first to ... remain single
without any fault of their own; that is, whose wives or husbands have fled ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/of matrimony.htm

V. ...
... Now follows the duty of husbands ... Thus we have now heard in regard to husbands, also,
what ... perform,"namely, that they dwell with their wives, endear themselves ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

Christian Behavior
... how little sense of the worth of souls is there in the heart of some husbands; as
is manifest by their unchristian carriage to and before ... THE DUTY OF WIVES. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

Matt. 8:11 Many
... It is very likely that those who have done their duty in that state of life to which
God ... Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xiii matt 8 11 many.htm

A Case of Conscience Resolved
... but THEY shall pray apart, and THEIR wives apart. ... they will learn, they must ask
their husbands at home ... rulers, and guides in worship, perform their duty to God ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a case of conscience resolved.htm

What does it mean that husbands are to love their wives? | GotQuestions.org

What are the roles of the husband and wife in a family? | GotQuestions.org

Does a wife have to submit to her husband? | GotQuestions.org

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