Wife
“Ishshah, woman or wife, from ish (man); Greek gyne”
Summary
In Scripture the wife is presented as the helpmeet created for man, with her relationship to her husband reflecting the covenant relationship between Christ and the Church.
☩Creation and Purpose
God declared that it was not good for man to be alone and made a helper suitable for him. The wife was created from Adam's side, indicating her equality in essence while suggesting her place as companion and support. Adam called her 'woman' (ishshah) because she was taken out of man (ish). Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife, the two becoming one flesh—a union Jesus affirmed as God's original design.
☩New Testament Teaching
The apostles gave detailed instruction on the role of wives. Wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, since the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church. Yet this submission is within a relationship of mutual love—husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. Peter instructs wives to win unbelieving husbands through reverent and pure conduct rather than mere words.
☩The Excellent Wife
Proverbs celebrates the virtuous wife whose worth is far above rubies. She works willingly with her hands, rises early to provide for her household, considers a field and buys it, extends her hand to the poor, and speaks with wisdom and kindness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her. Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Related Verses409 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Wife," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Wife," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).