What Does The Bible Say About A Wife Denying Her Husband?

In the Bible, the concept of a wife denying her husband is generally understood to mean a wife refusing to fulfill her marital responsibilities or to submit to her husband’s authority. This can take various forms, such as refusing to have sexual relations with her husband, failing to care for the household, or refusing to obey her husband’s instructions or guidance.

One example of a wife denying her husband in the Bible can be found in Proverbs 31, which describes an ideal wife as one who is hardworking, virtuous, and obedient to her husband. It states, “She does him good and not evil all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:12). This verse suggests that a wife who denies her husband is not fulfilling her responsibilities and is instead causing harm to her marriage.

Another example can be found in 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 where it states “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” This passage highlights the importance of sexual intimacy in marriage and the responsibility of both husband and wife to fulfill each other’s needs.

Lastly, Ephesians 5:22-24 states “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” This passage emphasizes the importance of a wife submitting to her husband’s authority and the role of the husband as the leader of the household.

It is important to note that biblical teachings on marriage and gender roles have been subject to much debate and interpretation, and that the concept of “submission” has often been used to justify oppressive and harmful treatment of women. It is important to consider the cultural and historical context in which these texts were written and to approach them with a critical and nuanced lens.

In summary, the Bible is not in support of a wife denying her husband sexually, and teaches that submission in marriage, including sexual submission, is important for maintaining a healthy and holy relationship. However, it is crucial to understand that these teachings should be interpreted and applied in a way that promotes mutual respect and equality in the marriage relationship.