A married woman ought to respect her husband (3)

Out of respect for the husband, the wife should cover his failures and weaknesses and sins he commits from the public. She should not be in the fore front publishing them, but ought to share the shame, because they are no longer two but one flesh. Genesis 2:24 reads: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they shall become one flesh.

A wife, knowing that she shares a name with her husband and is one flesh with him, must learn to behave honourably in public and in the presence of the husband.

1 Peter 3:1-6 sums it up by saying: ‘Wives, in the same way, be submissive to your husband’s, so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes, instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

For this is the way the holy women of the past, who put their hope in God used to make themselves. They were submissive to their own husband’s, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.’

Lastly, when a husband is given respect, he will also give respect in return. You will reap what you sow.