Wife’s Submission in Marriage

The root cause for issues in marriages are contentions of the wife and lack of authority from husband. This is true in many Christian couples today. In this post, we will explore from Scriptures, the reasons for contentions of a wife and how to avoid them by being submissive.

Attribution: Pixabay.com

Contentions of a Wife

Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

[It is] better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Prov 21:9; 21:19 & Prov 25:24

As we read in proverbs, living with a contentious woman is worse than living in wilderness or in a corner of a housetop. The Hebrew word is translated into strife, contention, quarrelsome. In other words, a constant fight between husband and wife within the family.

The contentions of a wife [are] a continual dripping.

A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;

Prov 19:13 & Prov 27:15

Bible also says that the contentions of a wife are like continual dripping on a very rainy day. While it is not good for a healthy marriage, why do contentions arise?

Prideful Wife

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.

By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised [is] wisdom.

Prov 28:25 & Prov 13:10

The most important reason for strife or contention is pride. Where there is pride, there will always be strife.

.. Your heart is lifted up because of your riches
Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty ..

Ezek 28:5 & Ezek 28:17

Prophet Ezekiel mentions riches and beauty are reasons for pride of Tyre. This is true for everyone including the wife in any marriage. If the wife has any pride in her heart about her career, income, beauty or riches which could be above her husband, then there will be always strife in the family. 1 John 2:16 mentions that the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world.

Submission to Husband

Wives, likewise, [be] submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct [accompanied] by fear.

1 Pet 3:1-2

Instead of pride in heart, wives must be submissive to their own husbands even if they are blessed with a good career, more income or riches. When a wife is in submission to her husband, there will not be any contention or strife. This doesn’t mean the wife must be submissive to a harsh husband who is a scoundrel as we read in 1 Samuel 25 regarding Abigail who did contrary to what Nabal did to David’s men. In spite of what Abigail did, she not only acted wisely but meant no harm to Nabal but protected him.

Conclusion

The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Prov 14:1

Contentions of a wife are mostly due to her prideful heart. If the wife has any pride in her heart about her career, income, beauty or riches which could be more than her husband, then there will be always strife in the family. When a wife is submissive to her husband, there will not be any contention or strife.

Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Cyrille
1 year ago

Hi,
Thank you for this simple and clear reminder.
It was very clarifying to me. Sama as your other article on husband’s authority.
I will pray God on this basis.
God Bless!