{"id":8353,"date":"2017-12-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-12-16T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites-stage.familylife.com\/flministries\/?p=8353"},"modified":"2025-08-01T09:27:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T13:27:27","slug":"what-should-be-the-wifes-role-in-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/articles\/topics\/marriage\/staying-married\/wives\/what-should-be-the-wifes-role-in-marriage\/","title":{"rendered":"What Should Be the Wife’s ‘Role’ in Marriage?"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Perhaps more than at any other time in history, women today need a clear understanding of how they should relate to their husbands. In fact, the significant social changes brought about by the women’s liberation movement over the last few decades have led to such confusion that the very idea of “roles” is repugnant to some. They feel as if somehow they lose their identity and their freedom if they adhere to some type of “outdated standard.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important for us to look clearly at what the Bible says on this subject. And while the Bible doesn’t apply our modern word “role” to marriage, the Scriptures are clear about the unique responsibilities God assigns to a wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special note: I suggest that you also read Dennis’s answer to the question, “What should be the husband’s role in marriage?<\/a>” before you continue this section. A wife’s responsibilities can be properly understood only in the context of loving, servant leadership by her husband.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Be a helper to your husband.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While all of us are called to be helpers to others, the Bible places a special emphasis on this responsibility for wives. Genesis tells us that God realized it wasn’t good for man to be alone, and that He decided to make a “helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18). It is interesting to note that the Hebrew meaning of the word helper<\/em> in this passage is found hereafter in the Bible to refer only to God as He helps us. The fact that this same word is applied to a wife signifies that we women have been given tremendous power for good in our husbands’ lives. God has designed wives to help their husbands become all that God intends for them to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Respect your husband.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Ephesians 5:33, Paul says, ” \u2026 the wife must respect her husband.” When you respect your husband you reverence him, notice him, regard him, honor him, prefer him, and esteem him. It means valuing his opinion, admiring his wisdom and character, appreciating his commitment to you, and considering his needs and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our husbands have many needs. The macho man who is self-contained, independent, and invulnerable is a myth. One day Dennis gave me a list of what he considered to be some of the primary needs most men have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n