Power Point Show
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31:23-31
The Godly Wife
Intro.
1. A godly woman, if married, wants to be a good and godly wife.
a. God created woman, marriage, and wifehood, Gen. 2:18-25.
b. God’s word, not man/woman’s word, defines the godly wife.
2. Bible speaks of the wife who is excellent (Prov. 12:4), good (Prov. 18:22), prudent (Prov. 19:14), and virtuous/worthy (Prov. 31:10).
I. CULTURE DOES NOT DEFINE THE WIFE’S ROLE.
A. 1950s: The Good Wife’s Guide. (1955 Good Housekeeping Monthly).
1. Today: tradwife is used to define the traditional role of a wife like a previous generation defined it (American culture of 1950s – think June Cleaver).
2. #tradwife: Submission without input/accountability; Will not work outside the home; House/children her exclusive domain.
3. We must not let culture belittle/distort/disdain God’s description of a “good” (godly”) wife.
B. God’s Description of the Virtuous Wife Transcends Cultures, Prov. 31:10-31. [Runs headlong into the TikTok #tradwife fad.]
1. Her character: Trustworthy (11-12), charitable (20), reputable (23), strength and honor (25), wise (26), kind (26), faith (fears God, 30), praiseworthy and valuable (28-31, 10).
2. Her conduct: Does husband good (12), willingly works (13), provides food (15), investor/money manager (17-18), business (18, 24), looks ahead (21-22), diligently watches over her household (27).
II. THE WIFE’S GOD-GIVEN MARRIAGE ROLES.
A. Your Husband’s Helper, Gen. 2:18.
1. Help meet, counterpart, suitable, cf. Gen. 2:24 (one flesh).
2. God uniquely made wives to fill a role nobody else can.
3. “Husbands have gaps in their lives that their wives are uniquely qualified to fill” (Rainey, 174). He needs special attention only you can give. Without your help he is prone to imbalance and blind spots.
B. Homemaker (Home Manager), 1 Tim. 5:14; Titus 2:5 (guide).
1. The worthy woman of Proverbs 31.
2. “Keepers at home” (KJV) – Not “keep her at home,” Prov. 31:16.
3. Watches over the welfare of the home, Prov. 31:27.
C. Husband’s Core Response to Wife’s Role: Praise and Honor Her, Prov. 31:28-29; 1 Pet. 3:7; Cherish her, Eph. 5:28-29.
III. GODLY WIFE: DO NOT BE OVERBURDENED WITH CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS AND DEMANDS.
A. While Guiding Your Home, Do Not Let Your Domestic Functions Dilute Your Devotion to Serving the Lord, Luke 10:38-42 (Martha).
1. Husband is important, but not more than Jesus, 1 Pet. 3:1-4.
2. Children are important, but not more than Jesus, Matt. 10:37.
3. Your house is important, but not more than Jesus, Matt. 6:33-34.
B. You Are Accountable to the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:10.
1. Not culture, cf. Titus 2:5 (“obey husband”).
2. Not busybodies who meddle, cf. 1 Tim. 5:13-14; 1 Pet. 4:15.
Conclusion
1. The virtuous (worthy) wife is hard to find, Prov. 31:10.
2. Finding such a wife is a good thing and God’s favor, Prov. 18:22; 19:14 (prudent, wise).
3. The godly wife gives no legitimate reason for unbelievers to blaspheme God’s word, Titus 2:5.
Bibliography
-Preparing for Marriage, Dennis Rainey, editor, 173-177
By: Joe R. Price
Posted June 28, 2024