When they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.”
accompanied by fear
“Fear” is respect for her husband. Respect carries the idea of distinction. This wife sets her husband aside as unique and special. Although he is belligerent to the gospel, she respects him as the leader of her home, as a man and as a husband and father. If he sees his wife respect even his right to reject Christ, this will lower the barrier between them, and between him and the gospel.
“Fear” does not carry the idea of dread of the husband. Ephesians 5:33 — “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” The Christian wife treats her husband with deference, respect, honor.
Principle:
It is difficult for the non-Christian husband to remain an island to his Christian wife if she steps into his essential need.
Application:
If the wife treats her husband as somebody, if she believes in him, he is more likely to become a Christian and the husband he should be. A wife who downgrades her husband by always disagreeing with him, making him appear foolish or being sarcastic toward him in public will never gain her husband.
A wife who is indifferent toward her husband’s accomplishments or who ignores his achievements disrespects him. This will drive him into a shell. He will shut his wife out of his life.
If the wife honors her husband by bringing out the best in him, this will glorify God. No woman gets a ready-made, fully-mature husband. She has a responsibility before God to help him become what he can become.
Women who live a positive testimony before their husbands will earn their respect even if they do not agree with her beliefs. These women become more thoughtful, more reasonable than ever before. This will have great impact upon non-Christian husbands.
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