Husbands and Wives

Husbands and Wives

The Scriptures speak plainly and simply to husbands and wives concerning their mutual relationship, and when what is written becomes crystal-clear to our inner eye, infinite wisdom is revealed.

The woman is the weaker vessel. Even though the man is weak, he is stronger concerning the good. “Likewise you husbands, dwell with them [your wives] with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Pet. 3:7.

“Likewise you wives, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” 1 Pet. 3:1-2.

Love is what brought husband and wife together and is the bearing strength in their marriage. As long as it is only human love, it is like everything else that man can achieve—it is variable and unsustainable. But the love that the Scriptures speak of is the love of Christ that consists of all good powers: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, keeps no accounts of evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Cor. 13:4-7. With such effective powers, marriage will be as God wanted it to be, for the common joy of everyone. Sin destroys, but the love of Christ drives sin away so we can live in glorious harmony with each other.

The woman is the weaker vessel, and as such she is more likely to succumb to temptation. But then, her husband can help her. He is not stronger so that he can gloat or brag, but to complement the other’s weakness, resulting in harmony.

We cannot follow human thought patterns in this regard; on the contrary, we must follow God’s will at all times; then the marriage will be blessed. God has His particular laws concerning marriage as for all other situations. Their purpose is to instruct and to further the good. Consequently, all misunderstandings are resolved according to the laws of love, and the person who is aware of the effects of the law of love knows what joy it always brings from you following it.

What was difficult and bitter and disheartening and awful, has now become the opposite, by God’s grace.

The husband, who, in spite of his weakness, is still stronger than his wife, must drive away all dark clouds and perceptions by following the laws of the Spirit of life, which constrain him to love, support, nourish, and comfort, to forgive and bear—and as head to be the leader in doing the good.

When all these blessed words of God have become flesh in the husband, he no longer tries to be good as if he were in bondage, but he rejoices from the heart in these blessed ordinances, serving his wife according to Jesus’ exhortations. Then, what the Word says has become reality, namely, that the men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. For he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it just as the Lord does the church, for we are members of His body. Eph. 5:28-30.

When the husband fills this place in the home, he fulfills his responsibility, and not otherwise.