Previously… We have studied the basic nature of the relationship of marriage. The definition of marriage The characteristics of marriage The basis of the marriage relationship Today we will continue viewing the marriage relationship in light of its responsibilities.

With Marriage Blessings – Come Marriage Responsibilities

What are the “Responsibilities” of Marriage? We will consider them in four categories to help us in our study from God’s Word. The Physical The Mental The Emotional The Religious

Physical Responsibilities (For the Husband) He is to “leave” and “cleave”. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Gen 2:24 (NKJV) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Gen 2:24 (KJV) See also Matthew 19:5 and Ephesians 5:31

Physical Responsibilities (For the Husband) He is to provide for his family. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Tim 5:8 (NKJV)  Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. Gen 2:15 (NKJV) Do not, however, make material possessions your god! Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim 6:6, NKJV

Physical Responsibilities (For the Wife) “Bear children”. Twice to Timothy, Paul upheld the virtue of bearing children. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. 1 Tim 2:15 (NKJV) Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 1 Tim 5:14 (NKJV) See Romans 1:29-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-3 concerning those who are unloving (NKJV), without natural affection (KJV).

Physical Responsibilities (For the Wife) Be “homemakers” (NKJV), “keep the home” (KJV) … to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:5 (NKJV) This means that the wife is to, “Properly the (watch or) keeper of a house, keeping at home, and taking care of household affairs, domestic (Thayer). She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Prov 31:27 (NKJV) And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 1 Tim 5:13 (NKJV)

Physical Responsibilities (For the Wife) Be “homemakers” (NKJV), “keep the home” (KJV) … to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:5 (NKJV) This means that the wife is to, “Properly the (watch or) keeper of a house, keeping at home, and taking care of household affairs, domestic (Thayer). She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Prov 31:27 (NKJV) And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 1 Tim 5:13 (NKJV)

Physical Responsibilities (Mutual) Companionship And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Gen 2:18 (NKJV) Men and women alike need someone who will share with them their life with all of its dreams and hopes, and all of its successes and failures. We all need someone who we know will always be there for us.

Physical Responsibilities (Mutual) Biological relationships It is God’s provision for the satisfying of the sexual urge which He placed in man, and which is good (Gen. 1:31). It is not dirty or vulgar in this place, but it is honorable (Heb. 13:4). It is sinful to satisfy this urge in any other way. Bestiality is sinful because beasts are not suitable for man (Gen. 2:20; Ex. 22:19; Lev. 18:23; Deut. 27:21). Homosexuality is sinful because one man and one woman are to be one flesh (Matt. 19:4-5; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9). Polygamy is sinful for it is one man and one woman that are to be one flesh (Matt. 19:1-9; Gen. 2:24). Fornication is sinful because every man is to have his own wife and every woman her own husband (1 Cor. 7:2, Heb. 13:4).

Mental Responsibilities (For the Husband) The husband is to love (agape) his wife.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her; Eph 5:25-26 (NKJV) Attributes of this love. As himself (Ephesians 5:28-30; See Luke 6:31) As Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25; See Acts 20:28).

Mental Responsibilities (For the Husband) To dwell with her with understanding. Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 (KJV) Should involve… Biblical knowledge – knowledge of God’s word. Physical knowledge – knowledge of her body. Psychological knowledge – knowledge of her mind. Emotional knowledge – knowledge of her temperament.

Mental Responsibilities (For the Wife) To be in subjection to her husband. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 1 Peter 3:5-6 (NKJV) be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:5 (NKJV)

Mental Responsibilities (For the Wife) To be discreet (sensible). For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 1 Peter 3:5-6 (NKJV) be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:5 (NKJV)

Emotional Responsibilities (For the Husband) The husband is instructed to cherish his wife. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. Eph 5:29 (NKJV) (Compare 1 Thess. 2:7) Thayer’s definition: 1) to warm, keep warm 2) to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care. A woman needs to know she is loved emotionally, so a man needs to keep his wife’s need for emotional closeness satisfied.

Emotional Responsibilities (For the Wife)  To love (philia) him. …that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children Titus 2:4 (NKJV) To respect him. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Eph 5:33 (NKJV)

Religious Responsibilities (For the Husband) Knowledge and guidance. in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility Titus 2:7 (NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Eph 6:4 (NKJV) one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?) 1 Tim 3:4-5 (NKJV) Compare 1 Samuel 25:2-3;17b with Joshua 24:14-15

Religious Responsibilities (For the Wife) Be an example of chaste conduct to the husband 1 Peter 6:1-6 “If some to do not obey the word” is generally thought to be those who are not Christians. Those would be included, but there are times that, even in the lives of the most faithful Christians, husbands fail to obey the word.

Religious Responsibilities (Mutual) Be a spiritual helper to your spouse! 1 Peter 6:1-6; Exodus 4:24-26; Job 2:7-10; Galatians 5:19-22; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Peter 3:7.

With Marriage Blessings – Come Marriage Responsibilities He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. Prov 18:22 (NKJV) An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. Prov 12:4 (NKJV) Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. Prov 31:10 (NKJV)