“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 to her. Although he is belligerent to the gospel, she respects him as the leader of her home. She respects him as a man. She respects him as a husband and father. If this husband sees that his wife respects 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.”
This 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 a wife believes in her husband, he is more likely to become a Christian and be the husband he should be. A wife who downgrades her husband by never agreeing with him, making him appear foolish, sarcastic toward him in public will never gain her husband.
A wife’s indifference toward her husband’s accomplishments or 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 get their respect even if they disagree with their beliefs. These women become more thoughtful, more reasonable than they ever were before. This will have a significant impact on non-Christian husbands.
