Library Home>Magazines>R.A. Torrey>The New Topical Textbook>Wives. (#142520)

Wives.

From: The New Topical Textbook By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 1 min. read • grade level: 11

Not to be selected from among the ungodly. Gen. 24:3³And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: (Genesis 24:3). Gen. 26:34, 35³⁴And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: ³⁵Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah. (Genesis 26:34‑35). Gen. 28:1¹And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. (Genesis 28:1).

DUTIES OF, TO THEIR HUSBANDS

To love them. Titus 2:4⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (Titus 2:4).

To reverence them. Eph. 5:33³³Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:33).

To be faithful to them. 1 Cor. 7:3-5, 10³Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. ⁴The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. ⁵Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. (1 Corinthians 7:3‑5)
¹⁰And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: (1 Corinthians 7:10).

To be subject to them. Gen. 3:16¹⁶Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Genesis 3:16). Eph. 5:22, 24²²Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22)
²⁴Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Ephesians 5:24). 1 Peter 3:1¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; (1 Peter 3:1).

To obey them. 1 Cor. 14:34³⁴Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (1 Corinthians 14:34). Tit. 2:5⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:5).

To remain with them for life. Rom. 7:2, 3²For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. ³So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (Romans 7:2‑3).

SHOULD BE ADORNED

Not with ornaments. 1 Tim. 2:9⁹In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (1 Timothy 2:9). 1 Peter 3:3³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (1 Peter 3:3).

With modesty and sobriety. 1 Tim. 2:9⁹In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (1 Timothy 2:9).

With a meek and quiet spirit. 1 Pet. 3:4, 5⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: (1 Peter 3:4‑5).

With good works. 1 Tim. 2:10¹⁰But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (1 Timothy 2:10). 1 Tim. 5:10¹⁰Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. (1 Timothy 5:10).

GOOD

Are from the Lord. Prov. 19:14¹⁴House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:14).

Are a token of the favor of God. Prov. 18:22²²Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22).

Are a blessing to husbands. Prov. 12:4⁴A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. (Proverbs 12:4). Prov. 31:10, 12¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)
¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:12).

Bring honor on husbands. Prov. 31:23²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (Proverbs 31:23).

Secure confidence of husbands. Prov. 31:11¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (Proverbs 31:11).

Are praised by husbands. Prov. 31:28²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (Proverbs 31:28).

Are diligent and prudent. Prov. 31:13-27¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. ¹⁴She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. ¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. ¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. ¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. ¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. ¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. ²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. ²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. ²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. ²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. ²⁵Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. ²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. ²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:13‑27).

Are benevolent to the poor. Prov. 31:20²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20).

Duty of, to unbelieving husbands. 1 Cor. 7:13, 14, 16¹³And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. ¹⁴For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. (1 Corinthians 7:13‑14)
¹⁶For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? (1 Corinthians 7:16). 1 Peter 3:1, 2¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; ²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. (1 Peter 3:1‑2).

Should be silent in the Churches. 1 Cor. 14:34³⁴Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (1 Corinthians 14:34).

Should seek religious instruction from their husbands. 1 Cor. 14:35³⁵And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:35).

Of ministers should be exemplary. 1 Tim. 3:11¹¹Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. (1 Timothy 3:11).

Good—Exemplified. Wife of Manoah, Judg. 13:10¹⁰And the woman made haste, and ran, and showed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day. (Judges 13:10). Orpah, and Ruth, Ruth 1:4, 8⁴And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. (Ruth 1:4)
⁸And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. (Ruth 1:8). Abigail, 1 Sam. 25:3³Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. (1 Samuel 25:3). Esther, Esther 2:15-17¹⁵Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her. ¹⁶So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. ¹⁷And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:15‑17). Elizabeth, Luke 1:6⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Luke 1:6). Priscilla, Acts 18:2, 26²And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. (Acts 18:2)
²⁶And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:26). Sarah, 1 Peter 3:6⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (1 Peter 3:6).

Bad—Exemplified. Samson's wife, Judg. 14:15-17¹⁵And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so? ¹⁶And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee? ¹⁷And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. (Judges 14:15‑17). Michal, 2 Sam. 6:16¹⁶And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6:16). Jezebel, 1 Kin. 21:25. Zeresh, Esther 5:14¹⁴Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made. (Esther 5:14). Job's wife, Job 2:9⁹Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (Job 2:9). Herodias, Mar. 6:17. Sapphira, Acts 5:1, 2¹But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ²And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 5:1‑2).

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.

Previous Article

The New Topical Textbook

• Waiting Upon God.

• Warfare of Saints.

• Watchfulness.

• Wave-Offering.

• Wicked, the, Are Compared to.

• Wisdom of God, the.

• Witness of the Holy Ghost.

• Wives.

• Works, Good.