Reference: Wife
Easton
The ordinance of marriage was sanctioned in Paradise (Ge 2:24; Mt 19:4-6). Monogamy was the original law under which man lived, but polygamy early commenced (Ge 4:19), and continued to prevail all down through Jewish history. The law of Moses regulated but did not prohibit polygamy. A man might have a plurality of wives, but a wife could have only one husband. A wife's legal rights (Ex 21:10) and her duties (Pr 31:10-31; 1Ti 5:14) are specified. She could be divorced in special cases (De 22:13-21), but could not divorce her husband. Divorce was restricted by our Lord to the single case of adultery (Mt 19:3-9). The duties of husbands and wives in their relations to each other are distinctly set forth in the New Testament (1Co 7:2-5; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1Pe 3:1-7).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
The Pharisees likewise came to him, and maliciously propos'd this question, may a man lawfully put away his wife at discretion? and he answered them, have ye not read, that when the creator, at the beginning, made male and female,
and he answered them, have ye not read, that when the creator, at the beginning, made male and female, he said, "for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and be attach'd to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?"
he said, "for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and be attach'd to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?" so that they are not now two, but one. what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
so that they are not now two, but one. what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. why then, said they, did Moses permit to give a writ of divorce to repudiate the wife? read more. he answer'd them, 'twas because of your perverse temper that Moses suffered you to repudiate your wives: but from the beginning this was not in practice. and I tell you, that whoever shall put away his wife, except it be for adultery, and shall marry another, he committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her that is put away, causeth her to commit adultery.
I answer, with regard to the licentious, it is best for a man, to have his wife; and for a woman to have her husband. let the husband discharge his obligations to his wife: and likewise the wife to the husband. read more. the wife has not the right of her own person, but the husband: and so likewise the husband has not the right of his own person, but the wife. don't desert one another, unless you mutually consent to retire for a time, to the solemnity of prayer; and then come together again, lest satan make an attempt upon your continency.
let married women be submissive to their husbands, out of regard to the Lord. for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body. read more. as the church then is subordinate to Christ, so let women be to their husbands upon all occasions. You husband, love your spouse, even as Christ loved the church, and laid down his life for her: to sanctify and purify her by the ablution of his word, that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible. in like manner ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies: "he that loves his wife, loveth himself." no man was ever yet averse to his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as the Lord doth the church: of which we are the several parts constituting his body. the scripture says, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and they two shall be as one." these words contain a very mystical sense, I mean in reference to Christ and the church. wherefore let every one of you without exception, love his wife even as himself; and let the wife respect her husband.
Dames, be submissive to your husbands, as becomes christians. husbands, love your wives, and do not exasperate them.
Hastings
Smith
Wife.
[MARRIAGE]
See Marriage