How can I support my spouse?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Matthew 19:4-6“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

We show support for our spouse by being united in purpose and spirit.

Genesis 2:18Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Proverbs 31:11-12Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Ephesians 5:21-24, 31-33Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. . . . As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

A wife can support her husband by being a helpful, trustworthy, lifelong companion. Paul uses the synonym of respect to indicate the nature of submission on the part of a wife. A husband is challenged to move past selfishness to truly love his wife in a sacrificial way—to the point of being willing to lay down his life for her.

Proverbs 31:28-31Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

1 Peter 3:7In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

A husband can support his wife by valuing, respecting, and praising her. While women in general may remain a mystery, he is called to the privilege of understanding one woman, which will be enough to keep him busy for a lifetime.

Genesis 24:67Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother.

2 Samuel 12:24Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and David named him Solomon. The Lord loved the child.

We are called to comfort our spouse. Both respect on the part of a wife and understanding on the part of a husband begin with the question: “How can I comfort you?”