Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Dwell With Them for Life
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The role of a husband within the Christian marriage covenant is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing a lifelong commitment to his wife. This duty is not merely a social contract but a divine mandate that reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of a husband dwelling with his wife for life is grounded in the creation narrative and the teachings of the New Testament. In Genesis 2:24 , it is written, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This passage underscores the permanence and unity intended in marriage, where the husband is to cleave to his wife, forming an indissoluble bond.

New Testament Teachings

The Apostle Peter provides explicit instructions regarding the husband's duty to his wife 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." This verse highlights the importance of understanding, respect, and honor in the marital relationship, emphasizing that a husband's spiritual life is intertwined with how he treats his wife.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the husband's role in Ephesians 5:25-28 : "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." Here, the sacrificial love of Christ for the Church serves as the model for a husband's love and commitment to his wife, indicating a lifelong dedication to her well-being and spiritual growth.

Covenantal Commitment

Marriage, as depicted in Scripture, is a covenantal relationship that mirrors God's unwavering faithfulness to His people. Malachi 2:14-16 addresses the sanctity of this covenant: "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." The prophet Malachi condemns the breaking of this covenant, affirming that marriage is a lifelong commitment witnessed by God Himself.

Practical Implications

The duty of a husband to dwell with his wife for life encompasses various practical aspects. It involves providing for her needs, both physical and emotional, and ensuring a stable and nurturing home environment. The husband is called to be a spiritual leader, guiding his family in faith and exemplifying Christ-like love and humility.

In summary, the biblical mandate for husbands to dwell with their wives for life is a profound expression of divine love and commitment. It calls for a lifelong partnership characterized by love, honor, and mutual respect, reflecting the eternal covenant between Christ and His Church.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall join to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 19:3-9
The Pharisees also came to him, tempting him, and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

V. ...
... This, then, is what is preached to wives. Now follows the duty of husbands ... V.7. Likewise,
ye husbands, dwell with them according to reason, giving honor to the ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .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

The Evolution of a Father
... Even among cannibals, where the shocking treatment of Wives by their Husbands is
in ... law; it is a purely personal and local code; but the word duty has at ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter ix the evolution of.htm

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... As I have spoken to you, I hope your wives also will ... and see that you be subject
to your own husbands, in every ... heard from time to time, to by your duty, and I ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.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 Marriage.
... them from evil in proportion as it strives to fulfil its whole duty, and shuns ... And
when the apostle bids the wives be subject to their husbands, has he ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/vii on marriage.htm

Letter xv. Social and Relative Duties.
... that she reverence her husband." "Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own
husbands." There can ... happen; but it may sometimes be your duty to caution ...
/.../letter xv social and relative.htm

The Release of Hope. (xxiv, xxix. )
... which appear is due partly to the fact that while the man's reluctant duty has been
to ... Take wives to your sons, Give your daughters to husbands, To beget ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 the release of hope.htm

Love of God and Man
... philanthropy,"we will try to do our duty where God ... not commanded us to love our wives,
our children ... that He takes away people's children, husbands, and friends ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xvii love of god.htm

The Domestic Relation.
... cause of lament that so comparatively few wives have a ... true place in the family and
her duty toward her ... young women be sober, love their husbands, love their ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xiii the domestic relation.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

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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: To Consult With Them
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