What does the Bible say about nagging wife?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible warns that persistent quarrelsomeness can make a home miserable, while calling both husband and wife to humble, loving, God-honoring faithfulness. Proverbs 21:9, 21:19, 25:24, and 27:15 vividly describe the pain of continual contention, not to shame women, but to expose the seriousness of sinful speech and conflict. Proverbs 12:4 and 31:10-31 commend the wife whose character strengthens her household. Yet Scripture also addresses husbands: Ephesians 5:21-33 commands mutual submission and calls husbands to sacrificial love after Christ, while 1 Peter 3:1-2 commends a wife’s gentle, faithful witness. In Christ, both spouses need repentance, grace, patient communication, and forgiveness.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 21:9 13 votes
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
- Proverbs 21:19 9 votes
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
- Proverbs 27:15 8 votes
A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
- Proverbs 25:24 7 votes
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
- Proverbs 19:13 5 votes
A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
- 1 Peter 3:1-2 4 votes
In the same way, 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, seeing your pure behavior in fear.
- Proverbs 12:4 4 votes
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
- Ephesians 5:21-33 3 votes
subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without defect. Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly, because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.” This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and the assembly. Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
- Proverbs 27:15-16 3 votes
A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike: restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
- Proverbs 31:10-31 2 votes
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night. She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
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