What Does The Bible Say About Husbands and Wives?

1. The first marriage was between Adam and Eve. Adam was looking for a “suitable helper”, so God created Eve.

１９２０そこで、土からあらゆる種類の動物と鳥を造り、アダムのところへ連れて来て、名前をつけさせました。それぞれみな、アダムがつけたとおりの名前をもらいましたが、アダムの助けになるようなものは見あたりません。２１そこでアダムをぐっすり眠らせ、その体から肋骨を一本取り出すことにしました。取ったあとをきちんとふさぐと、２２その骨で女を造り、彼のところへ連れて来ました。２３「ああ、これならぴったりです！」アダムは思わず叫びました。「まさに私の半身です。そうだ、『男』から造ったのだから、『女』と呼ぶことにしますよ（一種の語呂合わせ。ヘブル語では男をイーシュ、女をイシャーと言う）。」２４人が両親のもとを離れて妻と結ばれ、二人が一体となるのは、こうした背景があるからです。２５ところで、この時にはまだ、二人とも裸でした。それでも別に気まずい思いもせず、恥ずかしくもありませんでした。(Genesis 2:19-25)

2. The Bible says Eve was created from Adam’s ribs. Some Bible experts believe this is important. If Eve had been created from Adam’s head, she would be over Adam. If Eve had been created from Adam’s feet, she would be under Adam. Eve was created from Adam’s ribs, so she is at his side and close to his heart.

3. The Bible says Eve was from Adam’s bones and flesh. (Genesis 2:23) Adam was excited to have Eve. She was just what he needed! Adam valued and honored Eve. Adam was completed by Eve. Our marriages should follow this example.

4. Also, the Bible says marriage is like a picture of our relationship to God. God wants us to be faithful to Him, like husbands and wives should be faithful to each other. Hosea is an Old Testament book about a woman who was unfaithful to her husband. Her husband forgave her many times, just like God forgives us many times.

5. Marriage is very important to God. In Old Testament times, men were supposed to spend the first year of their marriage making their wives happy.

新婚の男子は兵役やその他の務めを免除されます。一年間は家にいて、新婚生活を思うぞんぶん楽しむのです。 Deuteronomy 24:5

The Bible has a lot verses about husbands and wives. We will look at some of them.

Husbands:

6.なぜなら、キリスト様の体である教会がキリスト様にゆだねられているのと同じように、妻は夫にゆだねられているからです。〔キリスト様は教会のために心を配り、その救い主となるために、実にいのちさえも投げ出されたのです。〕Ephesians 5:23

This means that men should be the leaders of their family. This doesn’t mean that men are superior to women. God wants us to have order in our relationships.

３３神様は、無秩序や混乱を喜ばれません。調和を愛する神様ですから、どの教会にも、この調和があるのです。1 Corinthians 14:33

7.また、夫は、教会のためにいのちを捨てるほどの愛を示されたキリスト様にならって、妻を愛しなさい。Ephesians 5:25

This means a man should love his wife enough to die for her.

8.これこそ、夫が妻に対してとるべき態度です。つまり、夫は妻を、自分の体の一部のように愛さなければなりません。二人は一体なのですから、夫が妻を愛する時、実は自分自身を愛しているのです。Ephesians 5:28

This means a man should put his wife’s needs ahead of his own needs.
9.夫は妻を愛し、いたわりなさい。つらく当たったり、邪険な態度をとったりしてはいけません。Colossians 3:19

This means men should treat their wives well. (They shouldn’t be mean to them.)

10. “Husbands, be considerate (kind) as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7

In this verse, “weaker partner” could also be translated as delicate partner—like expensive china that needs special care.

“heirs with you of the gracious gift of life”—this verse is for Christian men and women. It means they will both go to heaven when they die.

“so that nothing will hinder your prayers”—God is always interested in our heart and our attitude. If a man is not good to his wife, he probably has a bad heart or a bad attitude. The Bible says we need to have a good heart and a good attitude to pray effectively.

Wives:

11. ２２妻は、主に従うのと同様に、夫に従いなさい。Ephesians 5:22

This means women should “let” their husbands be the leaders of their family.

We can have a separate lesson about submission. Submission doesn’t mean women can never have input about their family’s decisions. It basically means they should yield to their husband’s wishes on important matters. If a woman’s husband is following the Bible’s guidelines, it is easy for her to submit to him because he has her best interest in mind. (If you know your husband loves you enough to die for you, it’s much easier to submit to him.)

12.２４そういうわけですから、妻は、教会がキリスト様に従うのと同じように、どんなことでも、喜んで夫に従わなければなりません。Ephesians 5:24

The Bible says there must be some order for relationships to work. As Christ is head of the church, a man should be head of his family.

13.３３そこで、もう一度言います。夫は妻を、自分の体の一部のように愛しなさい。そして妻は、夫を心から尊敬し、従いなさい。 Ephesians 5:33

A woman should honor her husband and the position God has
given him in the family. Again, if a man is following the Bible’s guidelines it’s easy to do this.

14.１８妻は夫に従いなさい。それは、主が人々のためにお定めになったことだからです。Colossians 3:18

If a woman is a Christian, she should submit to her husband because that is what the Bible says she should do. Sometimes a woman doesn’t have a husband that is worthy of this respect, but she should still try to respect his position in the family. She needs to remember that ultimately, God is in control and she should trust Him to take care of her.

15. “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.” 1 Peter 3:1

This verse is for Christian women who are married to men who aren’t Christians. It means you don’t have to nag your husband to get him to believe the Bible. It is better to live your life following the Bible’s guidelines. That way, your husband will see your example and want to be a Christian, too.

16. Another good verse for husbands and wives (and people in general!):

３自己中心的になったり、見栄を張ったりしてはいけません。謙そんになって、他の人を自分よりもすぐれた者とみなしなさい。Philippians 2:3

This means we should think of others before we act. We should always try to do what is best for our husband or our wife.

Discussion Questions:

How are Japanese marriages like Christian marriages? How are they different?

Why do you think it is important for husbands to love their wives?

Why do you think it is important for wives to submit to their husbands?

Summary:

1. Our marriages are important to God.
2. The Bible has specific guidelines for husbands and wives.
3. Husbands should love their wives and treat them well.
4. Wives should respect their husbands and submit to them.