Biblical Answer

How Should a Husband Love His Wife Biblically?

The biblical standard for a husband's love towards his wife is to love her as Christ loves the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). This radical command to love is only fulfilled when a husband loves his wife in imitation of Christ's love. A husband's love must first be incarnational, meaning it is a love that is embodied in action and sacrifice. This love is not just an emotional feeling, but a decision of the mind and will, with feelings following behind.

In order to fulfill this command, a husband must prioritize his wife's purity and protection from sin and temptation. This means doing everything in his power to shield her from harm and encourage her in her walk with God. A husband should love his wife as he loves his own body, and this love should be a selfless and sacrificial love that puts her needs above his own. This is a lifelong commitment, and one that should only become more resolved as time goes on, even as the feelings of romance and passion may fade.

The relationship between a husband and wife is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church. Just as the church submits to Christ, a wife should submit to her husband, and just as Christ loves the church and gives himself up for her, a husband should love his wife in the same way. This means that a husband should be considerate of his wife, honor her, and put her first in his interests. In this way, a husband can demonstrate a biblical love for his wife that is sacrificial, selfless, and embodied in action and sacrifice.