“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.”

Proverbs 12:4 AMP

In a day and age where the role of the man and women have undergone great redefining, we read about the reality of the intended relationship. The Bible never degrades or minimizes the role of women! In fact, Jesus was one of the most liberating figures for the women of His day! Nowhere does the Scripture describe the woman of wife as being subservient to men or to the husband. In fact, the Hebrew words “is the crown” translates to “an object that signifies ownership.” A crown is a symbol of power and authority. You don’t find the wife at the feet of the husband but rather one who supports and keeps his authority in the family! 

Nowhere does the Scripture say that a wife should be barefoot and in the kitchen! It is really quite the opposite! The word excellent here is the Hebrew word vitreous. It translates to mean “to have physical strength, to have special abilities or capabilities, uniquely qualified for a task, to be of strong moral character, a worthy person.” It is also used to describe a “brave solider or an elite fighting solider.” That doesn’t sound to me like the description of a weakling or second-class person! It is clear the role and call of a women is different than a man. Each is as described, “uniquely qualified” to fulfill the role they were designed for. It in no way indicated that women have no other role in society. When we get to Proverbs 31, we will find that the Scripture gives us a great description. Words like seeks out, willingly works, brings food, rises early, she engages in real estate transactions brings wealth to the family! She engages in commerce with her goods, she reaches out to the poor, helps the needy, and provides cloths for the family. No wonder verse 10 says her worth is more than rubies! All of this in voluntary response to the husband’s responsibility to love his wife unconditionally! The Scripture says,

“Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,”

Ephesians 5:25 AMP

Notice here men that it says, “as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” The command for the Christian husband to love his wife is not contingent upon her fulfilling any particular roles. The point is that it is an ongoing, everyday type of love. It’s not a love reserved for the wedding day; it is an everyday love the characterizes the disposition of the Christian husband to his wife. The husband is pointed to the supreme excellence of Christ as the one who is both the model and motivation for loving their wives. That love is sacrificial, serving, faithful, understanding, caring, consistent, leading, and enduring. The picture of Ephesians is that it is God’s plan that as the husband submits to Christ and leads his wife in a loving way, she then can become very thing God has placed within her! Being a Christian husband is not about being a prideful, self-centered leader. We must become humble, self-giving leaders to reflect the reality that Christ is our true Master!

The Apostle Paul summed it all up,

“Even so husbands should and are morally obligated to love their own wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hated his own body, but [instead] he nourishes and protects and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30because we are members (parts) of His body. 31FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED [and be faithfully devoted] TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME [e]ONE FLESH. 32This mystery [of two becoming one] is great; but I am speaking with reference to [the relationship of] Christ and the church. 33However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].”

Ephesians 5:28-33 AMP

When we walk in the ways of the Lord, each of us will experience the life we were created for and fulfill the need of the other walking with us. 

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken