The Biblical Woman/Wife/Mother (Part 1): Just as the man has the responsibility to love – which will be carried out by fulfilling three essential responsibilities – the same is true for the woman. A woman’s responsibility to respect will be carried out by fulfilling the essential responsibilities to submit, support, and help.

Woman’s Responsibility to Submit: I’ve written previously on the aspect of submission and the extent this crucial element plays in a woman’s ability to truly respect her husband. One thing is worth mentioning again here. It absolutely must be understood that submission is an attitude and not merely a physical act. It is entirely possible to “submit” in action and remain rebellious at heart and in attitude. This is certainly not pleasing to God. True submission is recognition of authority; in this case it recognizes the God-given headship of a husband over his wife. In recognizing that authority submission freely acknowledges the leadership of another. The attitude of submission must be developed.  

Woman’s Responsibility to Support: A husband needs nothing more than the sincere respect of his wife. One of the greatest evidences of this respect is the unwavering support she shows him. Whether in good times or bad, “for better or for worse” her support of her husband will be glue that helps hold their relationship strong and steady. It has been observed that Psalm 144:12 speaks of daughters becoming “like pillars cut for the structure of a palace.” Corner pillars are strong, essential, foundational elements to any structure. Without corner pillars the foundation, and ultimately every other aspect of a structure is weakened. The analogy is more than coincidental. Women were created to be the strong pillars of a marriage and family that support and give strength. This is certainly a place of prominence and honor.

Woman’s Responsibility to Help: The responsibility to help flows primarily from a woman’s desire to help her husband achieve his purpose in life. A woman’s primary relationship, after Christ, is to be her husband. No one, not even her children is to occupy more space in a woman’s heart than her husband. Because he is so important to her, she will desire to help him be a success in any way she can. One of the primary ways she can do this is successfully overseeing and managing the home. Home- management is a lost art among the youth of today; yet it is a most rewarding art when developed.

I would assert that there is no corporate executive alive with more management skill than a successful homemaker. The ability to create a safe, welcoming environment for all is masterful. The skill needed to shop for food, plan and prepare meals for the family, sew, iron, do laundry, adequately clean and maintain high levels of cleanliness are all worthy of praise. (It is fact that children have been removed from homes due to clutter and unsanitary conditions.) The ability to raise healthy, intelligent, respectful children full of character and integrity that will positively impact society is truly a skill worth praising. And let’s not forget that raising God-honoring, God-serving kids that “seek first the Kingdom of God” is a prize worth seeking. All this wrapped up in the management of the home, and, to be fair this doesn’t touch nearly all that this dying art entails or do it justice.

It must be understood that girls don’t learn these things accidentally; they need a mother capable and willing to teach them. If the example is never set before them, if they are never given practical instruction they have little chance of developing essential skills. These deficiencies can present hardship in a marriage and family if not corrected.

It seems impossible that if God gave responsibilities He will not call recipients to give account. It makes sense then that God will one day hold women accountable for the responsibilities He has given them. It becomes necessary to accept these responsibilities and carry them out to the best of our abilities “as unto the Lord” (Eph. 5:22-23) whether we agree or not. As with responsibilities given to men, our opinion of them doesn’t matter, only that God will hold us accountable.

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