Biblical Answer

A Biblical Definition of Loving Your Wife

A husband's love for his wife is not just an emotional feeling, but a commitment to act in a certain way. In Ephesians 5:25-33, the Bible describes the kind of love that a husband should have for his wife. This love is not just a feeling, but a decision to act in a way that honors and pleases God. A husband's love for his wife should be characterized by the following qualities:

The First Quality of a Husband's Love: Sacrificial Love

The first quality of a husband's love is sacrificial love. This means that a husband should be willing to give up his own interests and desires for the sake of his wife. As the Bible says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). This means that a husband should be willing to make sacrifices for his wife, even if it costs him something. He should be willing to put her needs before his own and to prioritize her happiness and well-being above his own.

The Second Quality of a Husband's Love: Incarnational Love

The second quality of a husband's love is incarnational love. This means that a husband should be willing to take on the characteristics and needs of his wife, just as Jesus took on human form to identify with humanity. A husband should be willing to listen to his wife, to understand her needs and desires, and to be present with her in times of joy and sorrow. This means that a husband should be willing to be vulnerable and to open himself up to his wife, just as Jesus was vulnerable and open to humanity. By doing so, a husband can demonstrate a deep and abiding love for his wife, one that is characterized by sacrifice, commitment, and a willingness to put her needs before his own.