7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate 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.
The Amplified renders it this way: “In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman.” The amount of respect that the husband receives from his wife should be reciprocated with greater kindness and goodness towards her. The marriage relationship is not a one-way street. There are too many marriages that runs on one wheel. God did not intend it that way. Considering the woman as a physically weaker partner (A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that men had an average of 26 lbs. (12 kilograms) more skeletal muscle mass than women. Women also exhibited about 40 percent less upper-body strength and 33 percent less lower-body strength, on average, the study found).Therefore, the man should render his service to the woman with strength and vigor. He should be willing to sweat his brows and exert his mental prowess to earn the bread and clothing for his wife and kids.
The head of the family is responsible to protect, provide and satisfy the needs of the family. If that basic accountability of work is handled, then the rest will take care of itself. The husband also ought “to show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life (Amplified),” why? So that the prayers will not be hindered.The husband should see to it that his wife gets enough attention in marriage life. She is to be consciously regarded as an eternal soul that will participate in the glorious reign of Christ Jesus. She matters to God (valuable and priceless) and so, should be to the husband. With that consciousness of her worth and value, the husband has no room to mistreat her. Her prayers are powerful and achieves great exploits for the Kingdom of God. Therefore, the amount of respect and honor should be equally expressed to one another (within Christian marriage), so that Christ’s kingdom may advance with greater strength and glory.
Prayer: Lord, strengthen our family and may your love abound in the homes of your sons and daughters. In Christ name, amen.
