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. (1 Pet. 3:7 NIV)

The Bible commands wives to respect their husbands and for husbands to treat their wives with respect. The respect is to be mutual, but not the same.  The Apostle Peter reminded husbands to be considerate of their wives’ physical weakness and eternal worth.

Though most wives are not as physically strong as their husbands, this should provide no excuse for a man becoming domineering or abusive. Why must he not simply “throw his weight around,” as the head of the home? Because his wife is an heir with him of Christ’s grace in this life and eternally

Ultimately the love and regard spouses give to one another is not a consequence of the things they do, but the treasure each is to our Savior. If we love Jesus, then we will love what and whom he loves. We are blessed if our spouses live so as to be treasured by us but, even if they do not, we are to treasure those whom Christ purchased at the cost of his own blood.

A husband should respect his wife for the tenderness she brings to the home and for the support she offers him. In such ways she blesses him and their home. Still, his ultimate regard for her resides in grasping the treasure she is to Jesus.

Why does the apostle remind us of these truths? Because love and honor are intimately linked in God’s design. The more you honor your spouse the more you are able to love, and the more blessed will be your marriage with a joint heir of Christ’s grace.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to treat my spouse with love and respect, because you have treasured us both as joint heirs of your gracious gift of life.