What does the Bible say about loving your husband?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible calls a wife to love her husband with faithful respect, devoted companionship, sexual purity, and Christlike grace, within the covenant of marriage. Genesis 2:24 presents marriage as a one-flesh union, and Ephesians 5:22-24 describes a wife's willing submission to her husband as part of her service to the Lord. Titus 2:4-5 commends affectionate love for husbands and households, while Proverbs 31:11-31 portrays a capable, trustworthy wife who blesses her family. First Peter 3:1-4 emphasizes a gentle, reverent spirit, not as weakness, but as precious before God. Such love grows through mutual honor, prayer, forgiveness, and the gospel-shaped love that reflects Christ.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Peter 3:1-22
[1] In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; [2] seeing your pure behavior in fear. [3] Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; [4] but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. [5] For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God, also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: [6] as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. [7] You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered. [8] Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, [9] not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. [10] For, "He who would love life, And see good days, Let him keep his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. [11] Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And his ears open to their prayer; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." [13] Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good? [14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled." [15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: [16] having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good manner of life in Christ. [17] For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil. [18] Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; [19] in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, [20] who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. [21] This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you-- not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
- 1 Peter 4:8
And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
- Ephesians 5:22-24
[22] Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. [24] But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.
- Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
- 1 Corinthians 7:1-40
[1] Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. [2] But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. [3] Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. [4] The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife. [5] Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control. [6] But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. [7] Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind. [8] But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am. [9] But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn. [10] But to the married I command--not I, but the Lord--that the wife not leave her husband [11] (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife. [12] But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. [13] The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. [14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy. [15] Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. [16] For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? [17] Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies. [18] Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. [19] Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. [20] Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called. [21] Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. [22] For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ's bondservant. [23] You were bought with a price. Don't become bondservants of men. [24] Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God. [25] Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy. [26] I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is. [27] Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don't seek a wife. [28] But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you. [29] But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none; [30] and those who weep, as though they didn't weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn't rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn't possess; [31] and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away. [32] But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; [33] but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. [34] There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please her husband. [35] This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction. [36] But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn't sin. Let them marry. [37] But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, does well. [38] So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn't give her in marriage does better. [39] A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Lord. [40] But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit.
- Titus 2:4-5
[4] that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed.
- Proverbs 31:11-31
[11] The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. [12] She does him good, and not harm, All the days of her life. [13] She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands. [14] She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. [15] She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And portions for her servant girls. [16] She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. [17] She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong. [18] She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. [19] She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. [20] She opens her arms to the poor; Yes, she extends 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. [23] Her husband is respected in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. [24] She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant. [25] Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. [26] She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. [27] She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness. [28] Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: [29] "Many women do noble things, But you excel them all." [30] Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. [31] Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
- Hebrews 13:4
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
- 1 John 4:12
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.
- Titus 2:1-15
[1] But say the things which fit sound doctrine, [2] that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: [3] and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; [4] that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed. [6] Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober-minded; [7] in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, [8] and soundness of speech that can't be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. [9] Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; [10] not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. [11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [12] instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; [13] looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; [14] who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. [15] Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.
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