The Godly Wife And The Bride Of Christ

There is no lack of principle in God’s word regarding the traits of a Godly wife. The Bible is in fact replete with examples of the mindset and attitude that a wife who is devoted to her husband and her Lord will possess. The narratives, however, do not pertain solely to a wife’s posture toward her husband. Within the constructs that guide a wife toward a wholesome relationship with her husband lie the same concepts that lead Christ’s bride – the body of believers in this world, toward a consummate relationship with Him.

In a number of locations in the Bible, such as Matthew 25:1-46, John 3:29, and Ephesians 5:25-27, God’s word alludes to the notion that Christ is akin to a bridegroom, and His followers are His bride, 2 Corinthians 11:2. Nowhere is this more clear than in the book of Revelation in such passages as Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 21:2, and Revelation 21:9.

Now, some will argue that the passages in Revelation refer to a city – the “New Jerusalem”, Revelation 21:10-14. But, what is a city for if not a dwelling place for people; in this case, God’s people? Did Christ die to bring about the construction of a new city or the assemblage of His people to Him? It is not the city itself in Revelation 21:10-14 that is Christ’s bride, but the people in it!

Let’s explore what the Bible says about the characteristics of a Godly wife and the correlation between those qualities and those of the number of individuals who make up Christ’s church – the bride of Christ.

First of all, God’s word says that a Godly wife remains true to her husband. Proverbs 31:10-12 infers that a Godly wife is one in whom the husband can have absolute trust. She does only good for her husband – no evil. There is no difference between the devotion of a Godly wife toward her husband and the devotion the Christian has toward God. A true Christian will have no other gods but God, Exodus 20:3 and will love the Lord with all his or her heart, soul, mind, and strength, Mark 12:30. And just as a Godly wife is whole-heartedly committed to her husband, a Christian is to have the same attitude towards God, Romans 12:1

Secondly, a Godly wife will bring honor to her husband. She will do this by being a true helpmeet to him as God had intended, Genesis 2:18, and by showing him respect as is mentioned in Ephesians 5:33. A woman who understands how to honor her husband is like a crown to him, Proverbs 12:4. In the same manner, a member of the bride of Christ will honor Him, 1 Corinthians 10:21, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Psalms 29:2.

Thirdly, a Godly wife will be polite and courteous. In other words, she will be gracious toward her husband. A gracious woman attains honor, Proverbs 11:16 as opposed to a quarrelsome, contentious woman, Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 21:19, Proverbs 19:13. Similarly, members of Christ’s bride should also display Courtesy, kindness and compassion, Ephesians 4:31-32, 1 Peter 3:8

Next, a Godly wife will strive to be wise. In fact, when wisdom is spoken of in Proverbs 1:20, Proverbs 8:1-3, and Proverbs 9:1-6 it is characterized as a woman. In the same manner, the model wife is portrayed as wise. When she speaks, her remarks are astute and sensible, Proverbs 31:26. Wisdom is also something that one should strive to attain if one desires to be counted amongst the members of the bride of Christ, James 1:5-6 because wisdom yields traits that God’s word instruct us to strive for, such as gentleness, reason, mercy and sincerity, James 3:17.

Lastly, a Godly wife is, of course, holy. Her holiness is derived from a deep relationship with God. A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised, Proverbs 31:30. But, what does it mean to be “holy”? A Godly woman understands that to be holy means that she no longer lives for herself, but for Christ, Galatians 2:20 to the extent that when people look at her, they see a life hidden in Christ, Colossians 3:3. Likewise, we as members of the bride of Christ are directed to be holy, 1 Peter 1:15-16. Being holy means that we exchange our submission to this world for a conversion of our hearts and minds toward a life dedicated to that which is good, acceptable and perfect, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8-9.

In conclusion, it is evident that the attributes of a Godly woman expressed in Proverbs 31:10-31 are essential, immutable tenets for any woman who has determined to live a life of unwavering devotion to the Lord. But, those tenets are not only helpful principles for potential brides to be, but the bride of Christ, as well.