The godly wife and her home (p1)

I've been studying (yet again) and dwelling on how to be the godly woman, wife, mother, daughter, servant and friend the LORD calls me to be. I believe it will end up being another Bible study book that I write and, Lord willing, publish. This will make Bible study book #4 - and I think this will be the most dear to my heart of them all, because, it is so close to my heart. Scripture addresses women scpecifically all through the Bible - and the unity of the Scripture teaching is of course, incredible.

One verse, a familiar one is in Ephesians 5:33
" Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. " (KJV)

I study from the KJV for many reasons, some of which are:  The KJB continues the line of the preserved texts. I adore its strength, accuracy and beauty. I trust it entirely. It is the very word of God. On occasion I find renderings in other translations that really help further bring out the thought. Years ago, a sister and mentor in the LORD shared Eph 5:33 from the Amplified translation and it has stuck with me all these years. I think this paraphrase nails much of the teaching in Scripture about the wife's role.

"Eph 5:33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly." (Amplified paraphrase)

Remember love is an action word, not a feeling as our society would lead us to think. Scripture says,  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 KJV) Love DOES.

 Another word about the Amplified's wording. Remember, that is what this is: it is one person elaborating on their understanding of the nuances in the Greek. Take the Amplified exhortation and compare with Scripture. We have to be a bit careful here. It is not calling us to worship our husbands! This paraphrase speaks to me as I observe the examples of submission and respect in Sarah, Esther, the Proverbs 31 woman, as well as the other Proverbs that speak to wives. Furthermore, we can combine those commands and exhortations with Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.(KJV)

Let us dwell on the good qualities of our husbands. Not their faults. We all "fall short of the glory of God". (Rom 3:23) Perfection comes only in our Saviour, let us not expect it of our spouse. Dwell on his good qualities - the qualities that are lovely. If there is any virtue he has, dwell on this. Honor him, submit to him and treat him with respect. This is not a popular message in our culture, but it is a biblical one.

Can you imagine the transformation in Christian households if even just the wives did their part??