Marriage is a sacred covenant established by God. Husbands are called to love, cherish, and honour their wives just as Christ loves the Church. A strong marriage is built on love, trust, and mutual respect, reflecting God’s perfect design for family life.
However, in today’s world, many marriages suffer because of mistreatment, abuse, and neglect. Some husbands fail to treat their wives with kindness, leading to pain and brokenness. This goes against God’s plan for marriage, which should be a place of love and peace.
The Bible warns against mistreating one’s wife and provides clear instructions on how a husband should treat his spouse. Scriptures teach that a husband must love his wife, care for her, and protect her, just as Christ cares for His people. When a man mistreats his wife, he disobeys God’s commands.
Below are Bible verses that address mistreating one’s wife. These verses serve as a guide for husbands to honour their wives and build a marriage that pleases God.
Preachers Quotes
“A good marriage isn’t something you find; it’s something you make, and you have to keep on making it.” – Billy Graham
“To love your wife as Christ loves the church means to serve her, care for her, and put her needs above your own.” – John Piper
“A man who does not love his wife as Christ loves the church will never experience the fullness of God’s blessing in his marriage.” – Charles Stanley
“The measure of a man is found in how he treats his wife when no one else is watching.” – Adrian Rogers
“Marriage is not just about love; it is about sacrifice, commitment, and daily dying to self for the good of the other.” – Tim Keller
“A husband’s love should reflect Christ’s love—unconditional, sacrificial, and ever-enduring.” – T.D. Jakes
“The best thing a husband can do for his children is to love their mother well.” – John MacArthur
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Bible Verses About Mistreating Your Wife
Genesis 2:24 – The foundation of a godly marriage.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24
Proverbs 18:22 – A wife is a blessing, not a burden.
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.” – Proverbs 18:22
Proverbs 19:14 – A prudent wife is from the Lord.
“Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.” – Proverbs 19:14
Proverbs 31:10 – A virtuous wife is far more valuable than riches.
“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” – Proverbs 31:10
Malachi 2:14 – God witnesses how you treat your wife.
“Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.” – Malachi 2:14
Malachi 2:16 – God hates divorce and mistreatment.
“For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence, Says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” – Malachi 2:16
Matthew 19:6 – Marriage is sacred and should not be broken.
“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” – Matthew 19:6
Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands are to love their wives sacrificially.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” – Ephesians 5:25
Ephesians 5:28 – A husband should care for his wife as he does himself.
“So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.” – Ephesians 5:28
Colossians 3:19 – Husbands must not be harsh.
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.” – Colossians 3:19
1 Peter 3:7 – Treat your wife with understanding and honour.
“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” – 1 Peter 3:7
Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage should be honoured.
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” – Hebrews 13:4
Ecclesiastes 9:9 – Enjoy life with your wife.
“Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 9:9
1 Corinthians 7:3 – Husbands must fulfil their duty to their wives.
“Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.” – 1 Corinthians 7:3
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – Do not separate from your spouse.
“Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.” – 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
1 Corinthians 7:33 – A husband should care for his wife’s well-being.
“But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.” – 1 Corinthians 7:33
1 Timothy 5:8 – Provide and care for your family.
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
Matthew 5:32 – Divorce causes sin and pain.
“But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” – Matthew 5:32
Mark 10:9 – Do not separate what God has joined.
“Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” – Mark 10:9
Psalm 128:3 – A wife is a blessing and should be cherished.
“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.” – Psalm 128:3
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – Love is patient and kind.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Matthew 19:8 – Hard hearts lead to mistreatment in marriage.
“He said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.’” – Matthew 19:8
Romans 12:10 – Show honour and love to one another.
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” – Romans 12:10
James 1:19-20 – Be slow to anger in marriage.
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20
Luke 6:31 – Treat others as you want to be treated.
“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” – Luke 6:31
Proverbs 12:4 – A good wife is a crown to her husband.
“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.” – Proverbs 12:4
Proverbs 14:1 – A wise wife builds her home.
“The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.” – Proverbs 14:1
Psalm 85:10 – Mercy and truth meet in a godly relationship.
“Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.” – Psalm 85:10
Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle response prevents conflict.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Matthew 22:39 – Love your neighbour as yourself.
“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:39
Galatians 5:22-23 – A godly husband bears good fruit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Marriage is a partnership.
“Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up!” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encourage and build each other up.
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Philippians 2:3-4 – Put your spouse’s needs first.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:3-4
Psalm 37:8 – Avoid anger and forsake wrath.
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.” – Psalm 37:8
Romans 15:5 – Be patient and in harmony.
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.” – Romans 15:5
Micah 6:8 – Walk humbly and act justly in your marriage.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
Zechariah 7:9-10 – Do not oppress or mistreat your wife.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’” – Zechariah 7:9-10
Deuteronomy 24:5 – A husband should bring happiness to his wife.
“When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken.” – Deuteronomy 24:5
Isaiah 41:10 – God strengthens and upholds those who seek Him.
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
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What does the Bible say about Mistreating Your Wife
The Bible is very clear about how a husband should treat his wife. Marriage is a sacred relationship created by God, and a husband is called to love, respect, and care for his wife just as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Mistreating a wife goes against God’s plan and brings trouble to the home.
In Malachi 2:14-16, God warns against being unfaithful and cruel to one’s wife. He says that He sees the way a husband treats his wife and that mistreatment can break the covenant of marriage. God even says that He hates divorce, which often happens because of mistreatment. A husband who hurts his wife, whether with words or actions, is acting against God’s will.
1 Peter 3:7 teaches that a husband must live with his wife in understanding and give her honour. The verse also warns that if a husband does not treat his wife well, his prayers may not be answered. This shows how serious God is about a husband’s duty to love and respect his wife. If a husband wants God’s blessing, he must treat his wife kindly.
Colossians 3:19 says, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.” This means a husband should not hold anger or resentment against his wife. Many marriages suffer because husbands speak harsh words or act in anger. The Bible teaches that love should be patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4-5), and this applies to marriage as well.
Proverbs 12:4 says, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.” A good wife is a blessing from God, and a husband should treasure her. He should not mistreat her or take her for granted. Instead, he should show appreciation and care for her needs.
Ephesians 5:28-29 tells husbands to love their wives as their own bodies. A man would not hurt himself, so he should not hurt his wife. Instead, he should nourish and cherish her. Mistreating a wife can bring pain, division, and even God’s judgment.
God calls husbands to lead with love, serve with humility, and protect their wives. A godly husband follows Christ’s example by showing kindness, patience, and faithfulness. When a husband loves his wife in this way, their marriage will be strong and full of God’s blessings.