Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To be Faithful to Them
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The role of a husband within the Christian marriage covenant is one of profound responsibility and commitment. Central to this role is the duty of faithfulness to one's wife, a principle deeply rooted in biblical teachings. This faithfulness encompasses not only physical fidelity but also emotional and spiritual loyalty, reflecting the covenantal nature of marriage as ordained by God.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides clear guidance on the expectations of husbands in their relationship with their wives. In Ephesians 5:25-28 , the Apostle Paul instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."

This passage highlights the sacrificial nature of a husband's love, drawing a parallel between the love of Christ for the church and the love a husband should have for his wife. This love is characterized by selflessness, purity, and a commitment to the well-being of the wife, underscoring the importance of faithfulness in all aspects of the marital relationship.

Faithfulness in Action

Faithfulness in marriage is not limited to abstaining from adultery but extends to maintaining integrity in thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of marital fidelity in Matthew 5:27-28 , stating, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

This teaching calls husbands to a higher standard of purity, urging them to guard their hearts and minds against anything that might compromise their commitment to their wives. Faithfulness involves nurturing a relationship built on trust, respect, and mutual honor, as outlined in 1 Peter 3:7 : "Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."

Covenantal Commitment

The covenantal nature of marriage is a recurring theme in Scripture, reflecting God's unbreakable covenant with His people. Malachi 2:14-16 addresses the issue of marital unfaithfulness, stating, "Yet you ask, ‘For what reason?’ Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your partner and the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth."

This passage underscores the seriousness with which God views the marriage covenant and the expectation that husbands remain faithful to their wives. The call to "guard yourselves in your spirit" serves as a reminder of the vigilance required to maintain fidelity in marriage.

Reflecting Christ's Love

Ultimately, the duty of a husband to be faithful to his wife is a reflection of Christ's unwavering love and faithfulness to the church. As husbands strive to emulate this divine model, they fulfill their God-given role within the marriage, fostering a relationship that honors God and serves as a testament to His love and faithfulness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 5:19
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and be you ravished always with her love.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Malachi 2:14,15
Yet you say, Why? Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... Indeed, I cannot say, I have discharged my duty towards you ... have spoken to you, I
hope your wives also will ... that you be subject to your own husbands, in every ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

The Bishop's Burthen
... provoke husbands to kill their adulterous wives, so as ... goods to the poor without
their husbands' consent; and ... answer negligently to get rid of a tiresome duty. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the bishops burthen.htm

Letter Lxix. To Oceanus.
... passage to be taken for churches and husbands for their ... to enable their understanding
to do its duty in God's ... our eyes and notice nothing but the wives of the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxix to oceanus.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... are accordingly admonished to encourage their husbands in all ... met it were, as a
religious duty, expected to ... Wives such as Priscilla, mothers such as that of ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

Getting Ready to Enter Canaan
... "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and ... Being a faithful
Christian, you can not do less than your duty, once duty is clear. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter one getting ready to.htm

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... [1778] And in doing this the husbands did not commit adultery, in that they obeyed
their wives in that matter which had regard to conjugal duty, according to ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

A Loyal Vow
... fact that men can and do give it"husbands to wives, wives to husbands, children
to ... and the less they recognise the blessedness and the duty of submission ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a loyal vow.htm

On Dress.
... Everything about thee which costs more than Christian duty required thee to lay
on, is ... "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/on dress.htm

John Knox.
... to what he believed to be his paramount duty to God ... who had more trouble from her
three husbands"two of ... had from his six wives, are the best vindication of ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 88 john knox.htm

On Mutual Subjection {1} --(First Printed in 1744)
... directed to obey their masters, children their parents, and wives their husbands,
not from ... Fourthly, The practice of this duty of being subject to one ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on mutual subjection 1first printed.htm

Resources
What is Christian domestic discipline (CDD)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be a godly husband? | GotQuestions.org

Do women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Husbands

Husbands Love

Husbands Role

Husbands: Bad: Ahasuerus

Husbands: Bad: Solomon

Husbands: Duties of, not to Interfere With Their Duties to Christ

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: Not to Leave Them, Though Unbelieving

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To be Faithful to Them

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Comfort Them

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Consult With Them

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Dwell With Them for Life

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Love Them

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Regard Them As Themselves

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Respect Them

Husbands: Good: Elkanah

Husbands: Good: Isaac

Husbands: Have Authority Over Their Wives

Husbands: should Have But One Wife

Unsaved Husbands

Related Terms

Brother-in-law (5 Occurrences)

Fulfill (80 Occurrences)

Brother's (46 Occurrences)

Marry (48 Occurrences)

Duty (90 Occurrences)

Kin (18 Occurrences)

Nabal (18 Occurrences)

Refuseth (22 Occurrences)

Refuses (21 Occurrences)

Refusing (21 Occurrences)

Deceased (8 Occurrences)

Perpetuate (2 Occurrences)

Boaz (25 Occurrences)

Brother (402 Occurrences)

Relationships (1 Occurrence)

Perform (155 Occurrences)

Sarai (13 Occurrences)

Sarah (38 Occurrences)

Dies (71 Occurrences)

Establish (133 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Raise (175 Occurrences)

Delight (213 Occurrences)

Husband's (19 Occurrences)

Open (586 Occurrences)

Herself (121 Occurrences)

Abroad (120 Occurrences)

Family (438 Occurrences)

Willing (152 Occurrences)

Divorce (18 Occurrences)

Vowed (34 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)

Zeruiah (25 Occurrences)

Na'omi (21 Occurrences)

Obligation (17 Occurrences)

Onan (6 Occurrences)

Obligates (4 Occurrences)

Levirate

Wife (437 Occurrences)

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)

Ribbons (1 Occurrence)

Elimelech (6 Occurrences)

Elim'elech (6 Occurrences)

Disalloweth (2 Occurrences)

Doubts (15 Occurrences)

Michal (18 Occurrences)

Marriage (74 Occurrences)

Marries (20 Occurrences)

Propitious (12 Occurrences)

Prohibition (1 Occurrence)

Pregnant (33 Occurrences)

Beloved (117 Occurrences)

Bloody (19 Occurrences)

Bo'az (24 Occurrences)

Affinity (4 Occurrences)

Accordingly (34 Occurrences)

Accounts (14 Occurrences)

Aretas (1 Occurrence)

Acquaintance (16 Occurrences)

Abigail (18 Occurrences)

Stigmatized (1 Occurrence)

Sister-in-law (1 Occurrence)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Instantly (39 Occurrences)

Naomi (25 Occurrences)

Kinsman (29 Occurrences)

Responsible (242 Occurrences)

Produce (140 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Taste (46 Occurrences)

Bond (32 Occurrences)

During (182 Occurrences)

Fact (98 Occurrences)

Hush (7 Occurrences)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Gate (248 Occurrences)

Doubt (49 Occurrences)

Vow (49 Occurrences)

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: Not to Leave Them, Though Unbelieving
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