GODLY HOMES In an ungodly world (10) An ongoing study of the Home as God’s Word teaches.

The Role of the Wives I Do!

The Role of Wives  A controversial and unpopular subject, because it is “politically incorrect”  Society has scoffed at her God given role.  The Biblical role is NOT degrading to women  She has great impact on how smooth the home operates

God’s place for the wife  A position of honor 1 Peter 3:7  Prov. 18:22, 19:14 “A prudent wife is from the Lord.”

God’s place for the wife  She is to be in subjection to her husband.  Ephesians 5:22-24  Col. 3:18  Titus 2:5  1 Peter 3:1, 5-6  Also, cf. 1 Tim. 2:12-15, 1 Cor. 11:3, 14:34-35

God’s place for the wife  Husband’s remember – she is to be treated honorably ( 1 Pet. 3:7 )  Sometimes struggles with this are fault of wife and at other times fault of husband  The only exception – Acts 5:29

She is to manage the house  Titus 2:5 Homemaker (domestically inclined)  1 Tim. 5:14 manage the house (tend to, master domestic affairs)  Prov. 31:27-29  This is God’s intent, and it is natural

She is to manage the house What about working wives?  In our society, women working is the norm for many reasons  But what about God’s word?

She is to manage the house What about working wives?  There are examples of working women in the Bible Lydia – Ac. 16:14 Prov. 31:13-16, 24 Priscilla helped Aquila- Ac. 18:3  We don’t have family details in most cases.

She is to manage the house What about working wives?  Nothing in scripture says it is wrong for a woman to work  If she works, she is NOT excused of her family responsibilities!  “But I have to work” WHY?

She is to manage the house  Should husbands help their wives domestically?  While not commanded, there are things the man needs to do around the home (heavy lifting, see to repairs, etc.)  If he loves her, he will want to help her. Realizes her job is not an easy one!

She needs to love her husband  Love needed in a marriage relationship  While men are continually commanded to love their wives ( Eph. 5:25, 28-33, Col. 3:19, etc. ), wives only commanded to love husband in one text – Titus 2:4

She needs to love her husband  Titus 2:4 The word means to show affection.  Typically women understand love better than men, but can they fail to be affectionate?  Also note 1 Cor. 7:2-5

She needs to RESPECT her husband  Eph. 5:33 – Respect (NKJV, NASU), KJV – reverence; ASV - fear  A word meaning to show proper respect - worthy of honor or high esteem

She needs to RESPECT her husband  Eph. 5:33 – Men need to feel respected just as women need to feel loved.  Consider how society has belittled the man. He doesn’t need that at home as well. “No husband feels fond feelings of affection and love in his heart when he believes his wife has contempt for who he is as a human being.” Love & Respect, Thomas Nelson Publishers, © 2004

She needs to RESPECT her husband  1 Pet. 3:1-2 – “chaste” conduct. Living so as to positively influence her husband. Also vs. 5-6, Sarah called her husband ‘lord’.  Eph. 5:22, as unto the Lord. How do you respect the Lord?

She needs to RESPECT her husband  How does a wife respect her husband?  Consider her words  Allow him to make decisions and support him  Defend him  Not constantly nagging Prov. 21:9, 25:24, 12:4

Wives adorn godly character  Godliness lacking in many homes today. Usually plenty of blame!

Wives adorn godly character  Titus 2:3-5  Soberness – alert & serious  Loves her husband  Discreet – sound reasoning in affairs of the home  Chaste – pure in heart & life. Cf. 1 Pet. 3:3-4

Wives adorn godly character  Titus 2:3-5  Keepers at home  Good – worthy of admiration  Obedient to their own husbands

Wives adorn godly character  Prov. 31:10-31  A wonderful text that describes the “virtuous wife”.  Her price is far above rubies  Her family praises her

Let us Respect God’s Role for Us as We Fulfill Them