How should husbands treat their wives?   Brother Philip Velasquez: Hello, and thank you for joining us on this podcast episode of That’s in the Bible. I’m Phillip Velazquez.  Our question for today is an email from Kyma Moreira and she's from London in the United Kingdom. She asks:   SHOULD MEN DICTATE HOW WOMEN SHOULD LIVE?    Thanks for that question, Kyma. I'm assuming you're asking about whether a man in a relationship with a woman, married or committed, should dictate how she lives? Well, the most direct answer to that would be a resounding “no”. A man should not dictate how women should live. But neither should a woman dictate how a man lives. And we could read that clearly in Apostle Paul's teaching, written in 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, and the verse is 4:   A wife is not the master of her own body, but her husband is; in the same way a husband is not the master of his own body, but his wife is.  [1 Corinthians 7:4 Today’s English Version]   So as Christians, what is it then that should dictate the relationship of husband and wife in order for them to live a happy life together? Apostle Paul teaches us again here in Romans, 7 and the verse is 2:   For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. [Romans 7:2 New King James Version]   As we’ve read dear friends, it is the law, or commandments of God that dictates the roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives, and even the way they treat each other.   And what kind of life can we expect if we allow God's commands to dictate the way we treat each other as husband and wife? The answer can be read in Psalm 119, and the verse is 2:   Happy are those who follow his commands, who obey him with all their heart. [Psalm 119:2 Today’s English Version]   Allowing God's law and commands to dictate our lives will lead to a peaceful and happy life. So, let's now learn about the Law of God on how husbands and wives should treat each other. Well, let's start with the husbands. Apostle Paul teaches us in Ephesians, 5: 28 and 33:   Men ought to love their wives just as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. But it also applies to you: every husband must love his wife as himself, [Ephesians 5: 28,33 Today’s English Version]   God expects the husbands to love their wives as we love and care for ourselves. How is the love expressed? Is it enough to just proclaim one's love for his wife? No. Our actions prove our love.    What's one way by which we can express our love to our wives? Colossians 3, and 19. This is what Apostle Paul admonishes all husbands. And we can read here in Colossians: 3 and 19:   Husbands, love your wives and be gentle with them.  [Colossians 3:19 New Century Version]   First, we express our love by being gentle with them. Just as we would do everything to avoid pain to ourselves, we mustn’t do anything to hurt our wives, physically or emotionally. How else do we express our love for our wives? Let's read 1 Peter: 3 and 7. This is the teaching of Apostle Peter to husbands out there.    Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. [1 Peter 3:7 New International Version]   According to Apostle Peter, we must treat them with respect.