How to Honor Your Wife: What Does It Mean to Honor Your Wife?
by David Chadwick
The word honor has become missing in action in the English vocabulary. Oh yes, sadly, we sometimes hear about an “honor killing.” Most often, that’s when a child rejects a certain faith tradition. The father feels he must kill the child for the sake of honor in his home. There is also “honor among thieves.” They still seem to hold the word honor in high esteem. The Boy Scouts still begin their pledge with “On my honor, I will do my duty.” Some schools still emphasize an honor code. But in reality, the word honor isn’t much talked about today.
The importance of the word honor has not been abated in the Bible. Children are to honor their mothers and fathers (Exodus 20:12). Rulers in the government (Romans 13:7) and the elders who preach, teach, and lead the church are to receive a double honor (1Timothy 5:17). Widows who serve others (1 Timothy 5:3) and friends who labor for us (Philippians 2:29) should also be given honor because of their personal importance in our lives. Christians are to honor one another, even above self (Romans 12:10). When Christians behave with honor, it should draw spiritual skeptics toward faith in God (1 Peter 2:12).
And honor is supposed to be given by a husband to his wife (1 Peter 3:7). He is to honor her as one with enormous value. In this verse, Peter says that a wife is to be treated as a “weaker vessel.” I don’t think this idea expresses inferiority at all. I believe Peter used this phrase to
describe a fine, delicate piece of pottery, like porcelain. The wife is supposed to be like a priceless vase in her husband’s hand. He is to treat her with great care and gentle esteem, tenderly showing to her the enormous value she holds in his life.
What does the Bible mean when it tells us to honor our wives? Let me put it in a way our culture can understand. She is a trophy—a person dearly prized. She is the husband’s ultimate, permanent trophy bride! When you look at your wife, you can’t believe she is a part of your life. You consider it a high privilege to be married to her. You want others to know the value she has in your life. You are honored she is your wife.
This series over the next two weeks is a bite-sized overview of a book I wrote called “Eight Great Ways to Honor Your Wife.” My wife, Marilynn, just completed two weeks of a series entitled “Eight Great Ways to Honor Your Husband” after the book she wrote. We both are trying to recapture the significance and importance of this word honor—especially in the marriage relationship between a husband and a wife. Join us as we explore God’s design for marriage.
This series is adapted from David Chadwick’s book, Eight Great Ways to Honor Your Wife. To download your free PDF copy of the book, please visit our website by clicking here!