The Bible is a book full of advice and wisdom that speaks to a myriad of topics, including marriage and being a wife. While the Bible doesn’t openly and explicitly list certain duties or tasks that a wife is expected to perform, it does provide guidelines and principles on how to behave and conduct her life as a woman of God. Here, we take a closer look at what the Bible has to say about being a wife.
The Bible speaks highly of how well a wife should treat her husband. It tells of how a woman should value her husband above all and how important it is that she listens to him. The Bible talks about how a woman should be patient and kind, generous and understanding towards her partner and how she must never be resentful or deceitful. For example, in the book of Ephesians, the Bible says “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord” (5:22).
The Bible also goes into detail about how a woman should conduct herself while in the presence of her husband, and how she should never do anything that goes against her faith. Women are often told to respect their husbands and give them the honour they deserve. It is a wife’s responsibility to provide support and comfort to her husband when required, and be a source of strength and friendship. It is written in Proverbs 31:11-12 that “The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not harm all the days of her life.”
From looking at biblical passages, it seems that being a wife is a very big responsibility, and it is something that the Bible takes seriously. A wife’s role goes beyond providing love and support; she must also make sure that she is living a humble, holy and faithful life that honours God. In 1 Peter 3:1-5, the Bible speaks of how a wife must not only take good care of her husband, but also of her relationship with God, which means attending to daily prayers, studying scripture and partaking in activities such as seeing missionary work.
Conduct
Conducting oneself in an appropriate and respectful manner is essential in maintaining a healthy relationship. The Bible encourages wives to present the best version of themselves. By dressing or speaking modestly, a wife can portray the type of attitude that her husband appreciates. In Titus 2:3-5, the Bible states “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Wives are also advised to learn and practice humility; by not competing with her husband or thinking too highly of herself, a wife can help preserve her marriage and the honour of God.
Prayer
The Bible also encourages wives to pray and intercede for their husbands. Wives are called to pray for their spouse’s spiritual edification as well as for their career, and health. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, the Bible states ” First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings, and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity”. Prayer is an essential part of being a wife because it strengthens the relationship between the couple and builds an even stronger bond with God.
Submission
Submission is an integral duty of being a wife as it allows her to display honour to her husband and God. The Bible advises that a wife should defer to her husband in all decisions, and allow him to take the lead in their relationship. Most importantly, a wife should do her best to honour God, and if her husband commands something that she believes goes against God, she has the right to stand up for her beliefs and continue to respect her husband.
Household Duties
Household duties are an important part of being a wife and the Bible encourages women to take charge of their homes and help out with housekeeping. Proverbs 31:15-16 states “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” It is clear from this passage that the Bible expects wives to be in charge of their home and to make sure that their household is well taken care of.
Other Responsibilities
In addition to venerating her husband, being supportive and caring, and taking on household marital responsibilities, the Bible advises wives to also take on other roles, such as managing a family’s finances. In Proverbs 31:17, it is written “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” This passage encourages wives to look after the families’ financial health and affairs, which includes practices such as budgeting and saving. These practices are important to make sure that the family continues to be well taken care of.
Decision Making
The Bible speaks highly of the importance of making good decisions. Wives are called to make wise choices that allow her to follow the will of God. Proverbs 14:1 reveals “The wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” Wives are advised to always seek God’s guidance and wisdom before making any decision for their future, so that any difficulty can be avoided and their relationship always remain strong.
Conclusion
From looking at the Bible, it is clear that being a wife is a challenging yet rewarding role. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly state what duties a wife should fulfil, it does give many pieces of advice and guidelines that a wife should live by. With faith, humility and kindness, wives can remain humble and obedient to God and their husband to ensure that their relationship remains blessed and full of joy.
