Christian marriage - the need for respect - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church, and he is the Saviour of the body. ... Let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:22.23.33

Christian marriage - the need for respect
A Christian marriage must correspond to the teaching of the Word of God and not to social trends. Unfortunately, however, many believers' marriages are in a pitiful state: the partners have lost sight of the divine guidelines. The verses above explain the wife's position.

Understanding it is important for a happy marriage.

For the husband, loving his wife is stressed. For the wife, God places the emphasis on her subjection to and respect for her husband. This does not mean that the husband should assume dictatorial ways and overlook his wife's wishes. Before the wife is exhorted to be subject to her husband, all Christians are admonished to submit to one another (v. 21).

In His wisdom the Lord compares a healthy relationship between man and wife with that between Himself and His church. Christ is the Head of the church. Would any Christian therefore conclude that that harmed the church? Verse 23 states: "He is the Saviour of the body," showing that He is its Head for its well-being.

A wise husband listens to his wife's opinions; he then makes decisions for which he is responsible. A marriage can be paradise or imprisonment; a Christian marriage should undoubtedly be the former. It should be characterized by love and respect. And the home should be a place where Christians feel welcome.

(to be concluded next Wednesday)