Husband

A husband is a male spouse in a marriage relationship, called to love, lead, and protect his wife and family as Christ would.

Divine Design and Biblical Foundation

When married, the husband is to leave his parents' home to commence a new home with his wife (Gen 2:24). This establishes the husband's primary allegiance to his new family unit, creating a distinct household that reflects God's design for marriage.

God's directive is leave and cleave

The transition represents a significant shift in responsibility as the husband assumes the role of family head, accountable to God for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of his household. This leaving does not imply abandonment of parents but a reordering of priorities where the wife becomes the primary relationship.

God holds the man responsible to protect and care for his wife and children. As the head of the home, he is to lead and guide his family, bearing in mind that he in turn submits to Christ (Gen 3:16; 1 Cor 11:3; Eph 5:23). This leadership is not about domination but about Christ-like servanthood.

The husband is to love his wife as himself; being tender, self-sacrificing and assisting her in domestic duties (Eph 5:25,28,33; Col 3:19). She is to be his continual responsibility and he is to help her become the person she is capable of being.

Husbands love your wives as Christ loves the church – Ephesians 5:25

Both husband and wife are equal in God's sight with neither being superior or inferior. This equality is foundational to healthy marital relationships, where mutual respect and honor characterize the partnership despite different roles within the family structure.

A wife whose husband continually has her best at heart will not be threatened or afraid to respect and submit to him. This willing submission flows from trust and love, reflecting the healthy dynamic God intends for marriage. The wife, although not as strong physically, has beneficial qualities that enrich the marital partnership.

Love and Sacrificial Leadership

Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25). This profound standard sets the bar for husbandly love—selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. Christ's love was demonstrated through His willingness to lay down His life, serving as the ultimate model for a husband's devotion.

Love your wife out of reverence for God, she is His daughter and so treat her accordingly (Jn 1:12; Eph 5:1; 1 Jn 3:1). This perspective transforms how a husband views and treats his wife, recognizing her intrinsic value as a beloved child of God.

For his prayers to be answered a husband is to be considerate to his wife, courteous, protecting, helping, respecting and having a right relationship with her (1 Pet 3:7). This spiritual principle directly connects a husband's treatment of his wife to the effectiveness of his prayer life.

Do I continually show consideration and respect?

Consideration involves understanding his wife's needs and perspectives. Respect manifests through honoring her opinions, valuing her contributions, and treating her with dignity in all interactions. Self-control extends beyond sexual purity to include managing anger and speech.

At all times he must remain morally faithful to his partner and respect her wishes, exercising self-control when his advances are not desired. This commitment to faithfulness builds trust and security within the marriage, creating a foundation for lasting intimacy.

Moral faithfulness protects the marriage from external threats and internal betrayals, preserving the sacred covenant between husband, wife, and God.

Priorities and Growth

After his allegiance to God, the man's next responsibility is to his wife and family. Work and Christian ministry follow, though sometimes priorities need shuffling temporarily. This ordering ensures the most important relationships receive appropriate attention and investment.

Balancing competing demands requires wisdom, discernment, and regular communication with both God and spouse to ensure priorities remain aligned with biblical principles and family needs.

Maintain the right priorities

It takes effort to keep the fire of romance alive, yet the rewards of a loving relationship are enormous. Intentional effort in maintaining romance demonstrates ongoing commitment and appreciation, strengthening the marital bond over time.

Romance takes many forms—quality time together, thoughtful gestures, meaningful conversation, and expressions of affection that keep the relationship vibrant and fulfilling for both partners.

Aim to be the godliest husband possible. This pursuit encompasses every aspect of life—character, decisions, relationships, and spiritual practices. A godly husband recognizes his effectiveness flows from his relationship with God.

Develop Godly character

Growing in godliness requires humility, repentance, and continual surrender to God's transforming work through the Holy Spirit. This growth process deepens throughout a husband's life and marriage.

God's Design for Family Headship

Scripture teaches that the head of the wife is the husband, but he in turn must be submitted to God (1 Cor 11:3). This is not about control but the divine order of the line of command. When the husband walks in submission to Christ, he becomes a conduit of God's blessing and wisdom for his wife and children.

God holds man as the head of the home, with the sacred responsibility of protecting his family both physically and spiritually. Without this spiritual covering, the wife and children remain vulnerable to attacks from evil forces.

It is vitally important to take your responsibility seriously

A godly husband and father must not only personally put on the full armour of God (Eph 6:10-18) but also stand as a shield for his entire household, declaring over each the protection of the name of Jesus, as Satan is always on the prowl, ready to take advantage of humanity's vulnerabilities (1 Pet 5:8).

Reflection and Application:

Examine your priorities to ensure God and your family receive appropriate attention in your daily life.
Consider practical ways to demonstrate Christ-like sacrificial love to your wife in both big and small matters.
Reflect on areas where you can grow in spiritual leadership within your home through prayer and scripture.
Evaluate how well you are protecting, providing for, and nurturing your family's wellbeing.