What Does It Mean to Be a Christian Wife?

Answer: In our modern times, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the role of a Christian wife. In looking to Scripture, we see that it is actually quite simple.

In Proverbs 31:10–31 there is a beautiful poem we could call “The Virtuous Wife.” This poem lists the attributes of a godly wife and praises her for her devotion to her husband and to the Lord. The virtuous wife is trustworthy, works hard, makes sacrifices to care for her family, and is generous, strong, wise, and kind.

In the New Testament, Paul gives advice to husbands and wives about marriage. Wives are to submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22–24). This command is what draws a lot of criticism because our modern world thinks that a submissive woman is reduced in her worth and can have no voice or opinions of her own. This is not the case in a biblical marriage, however. The submission of a Christian wife to her husband is the same kind as our submission to Christ. This is a voluntary submission, under the authority of another. In like fashion, husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church, meaning they must be willing to sacrifice for their wives. The passage closes with a command for each husband to love his own wife as himself and for wives to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33).

In marriages involving a Christian wife and an unsaved husband, she is not to seek a divorce: “If a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him” (1 Corinthians 7:13). She brings a blessing to the home, both to her husband and their children (1 Corinthians 7:14). Her goal should be to win her husband to Christ: “If any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives” (1 Peter 3:1).

In short, being a Christian wife is simple. She is to honor and respect her husband, submit to his authority, and be devout to the Lord. All the other godly attributes will fall into place as husbands and wives strive to be examples of our relationship with Christ.