What does it mean to be a wife?

BibleAsk Team

The Godly Wife

God gave Adam his wife Eve. She was created from Adam’s rib. This represented the inseparable unity, love and fellowship between a husband and his wife. Adam’s wife and her creation was to lay the actual foundation for the moral ordinance of marriage. The wife was to stand by the husband’s side as an equal but submissive to him. Marriage is a type of the fellowship of love and life that exists between the Lord and His church (Ephesians 5:32).

Jesus said, “For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:5,6). These words express the deepest physical and spiritual unity of a husband and a wife. These words do not recommend a forsaking of filial duty and respect toward father and mother, but refer primarily to the fact that a man’s wife is to be first in his affections and that his first duty is toward her.

Solomon, the wisest man on earth, gave the descriptions of a good wife in Proverbs 31:

10   Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11   The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12   She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13   She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14   She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15   She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16   She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17   She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18   She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19   She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20   She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21   She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22   She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23   Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24   She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25   Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26   She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27   She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28   Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29   Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30   Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31   Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

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