Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Respect Them
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The role of a husband within the Christian framework is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, which emphasizes the importance of love, respect, and honor in the marital relationship. The duty of a husband to respect his wife is a fundamental aspect of this relationship, reflecting the divine order and the sanctity of marriage.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides clear guidance on the mutual respect and love that should characterize the relationship between a husband and wife. In Ephesians 5:25-28 , the Apostle Paul instructs husbands: "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 underscores the sacrificial nature of a husband's love, which inherently includes respect. By comparing the husband's role to that of Christ's love for the church, the Bible sets a high standard for husbands to emulate, one that is characterized by selflessness, honor, and deep respect.

Respect as a Form of Love

Respect is an integral component of love. In 1 Peter 3:7 , husbands are further instructed: "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 and honoring one's wife, recognizing her as an equal partner in the grace of life.

The call to treat wives with consideration and honor implies a deep respect for their dignity, worth, and role within the marriage. It acknowledges the unique and complementary nature of the marital partnership, where both husband and wife are valued and respected.

Practical Implications

Respecting one's wife involves active listening, valuing her opinions, and supporting her in her endeavors. It means acknowledging her strengths and contributions to the family and the marriage. Proverbs 31:10-11 praises the virtuous wife, stating, "A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will lack nothing of value."

A husband who respects his wife will trust her and recognize her invaluable role in the household. This respect fosters a nurturing and supportive environment where both partners can thrive and grow together in their faith and love.

Conclusion

The duty of a husband to respect his wife is a biblical mandate that reflects the love and honor that God intends for marriage. By following these scriptural principles, husbands can fulfill their God-given role, creating a harmonious and respectful partnership that glorifies God and strengthens the marital bond.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Salutation. Praise of the Corinthians Before the Breaking ...
... be of a sober and serious mind; ye instructed your wives to do ... with a blameless,
becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in duty bound; and ...
/.../chapter i the salutation praise of.htm

Christ the Believer's Husband
... wife see that she reverence her "husband." It is, no doubt, the duty of married ... From
whom may husbands justly command respect, if not from their wives? ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the believers husband.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

Letter xv. Social and Relative Duties.
... that she reverence her husband." "Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own
husbands." There can ... The Scriptures insist upon the duty of brotherly love. ...
/.../letter xv social and relative.htm

The Salutation. Praise of the Corinthians Before The
... be of a sober and serious mind, ye instructed your wives to do ... with a blameless,
becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in duty bound; and ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter i the salutation praise of.htm

On Mutual Subjection {1} --(First Printed in 1744)
... two great Apostles recommending to all Christians this duty of mutual ... to obey their
masters, children their parents, and wives their husbands, not from ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on mutual subjection 1first printed.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

An Account of the General Conference of 1796
... upon them by the sacrifices of their devoted husbands and parents ... as also for the
relief of the wives and children ... And farther, it shall be the duty of the said ...
/.../chapter 2 an account of.htm

Matt. xix. 27
... their sons to ungodliness, and wives their husbands; when they ... things, saith He,
let them be neither wives nor parents ... look to them that do their duty, to them ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxiv matt xix 27.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 34
... both rendered the women orderly, and the husbands he made anxious, as having to
deliver to their wives very exactly ... gifts, and of its being a duty neither to ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxvii 1 cor xiv.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

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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)

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Brother (402 Occurrences)

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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)

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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 Regard Them As Themselves
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