According to scripture, the primary duty of husbands toward their wives is to love them. But what exactly does that mean? What does that look like?

We offer the following table as an exploration of a husband’s responsibilities within the marriage relationship.

 

ScriptureDutyDescription
Ephesians 5:23Headshipassuming full responsibility for his family
Ephesians 5:25Sacrificeputting her needs before his own
Ephesians 5:26Sanctifysetting her apart as holy to the Lord
Ephesians 5:26-27Cleansehelping her to become more obedient to God
Ephesians 5:29Nourishto feed and bring to spiritual maturity
Ephesians 5:29Cherishto keep warm with tenderness
1 Peter 3:7Understandacknowledging her weaknesses
1 Peter 3:7Honortreating her as something precious/fragile
1 Corinthians 14:35Teachimparting biblical knowledge
2 Corinthians 11:2Jealousybeing zealous to protect
Exodus 21:10-11Provisiongiving food, shelter, clothing, and sex
Proverbs 5:15-23Contentmentnot desiring another woman
1 Corinthians 7:3-4Sexnot depriving her of regular conjugal love
Malachi 2:15Childrenallowing for procreative sex
Numbers 30:13-15Supervisionreviewing and approving her commitments

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