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The Christian Wife Unfading Loveliness Your
beauty should not be dependent on an elaborate coiffure, Ginger Brann A Newsweek magazine cover story last December was “Women of the Bible—.How Their Stories Speak to Us Today.” The article described how scholars (especially women historians) are researching the women of the Bible. This new research is inspiring women of faith to form study groups so they might learn more of their fellow sisters. The article noted that “of some 3,000 characters named in the Bible, fewer than ten percent are women.” Because of these women (there are only a few mentioned with their husbands), Scripture gives few role models for a Christian wife to study and emulate. Although it is important to study these biblical role models and apply lessons to the Christian wife of today, Jesus is the one true example of character we are striving to emulate. “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2, NAS). Worshipping Mary as the Roman Catholic Church instructs is against what the Scriptures teach: “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5,6, NAS). However, many lessons can be learned from women in the Scriptures and we will begin by first looking at three wives: Sapphira, Joanna, and Priscilla. Sapphira Sapphira was the wife of Ananias. Their story is found in Acts 4:32-35 and 5:1-10. It was a time in the early church when those who wished could combine their resources for the support of all. (See also Acts 2:43-47.) “Those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own” (Acts 4:32). Acts 5 mentions that Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property to include the money received in this common ownership. Verse 2 tells how Ananias put this offering before the apostles’ feet but kept back part of the money they had gotten “with his wife’s full knowledge.” The margin of the New American Standard actually says they were in collusion. The apostle Peter knew they lied about this. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not so much in holding back part of the sum, but in lying to God. This sin was considered so extreme that both were struck dead. There are three things to notice in this experience. First, they seemed to be with the believers because Acts 4:32 says “the congregation of those who believed” were the ones who combined their properties. We do not know if Ananias and Sapphira were begotten of the holy spirit. They were at least acting as if they were a part of the believers and they wanted to look good in the eyes of the others. Second, both Ananias and Sapphira had agreed to deceive the apostles and the other believers by making a show of laying their “all” before the feet of the apostles. The Scriptures state plainly that they did not give their all; they secretly held back some of the proceeds from the sale of the property for themselves. Third, they both lied to the apostle Peter at different times. There was a full three hours difference (see Acts 5:7) between when Ananias lied and when Sapphira lied. What can we learn from Sapphira to benefit the Christian wife? The first lesson is that nothing should be held back from the Lord. Since we know that Sapphira had full knowledge of what her husband was doing, we can see how she had an opportunity to influence her husband to not do it. Although the Scriptures do ask the wife to be subject to her husband, there is a higher principle at stake: Sapphira had a higher obligation toward God and her brethren. Even if Ananias would not listen to his wife, it would have been important for Sapphira to expose him to the church using the principles of Matthew 18. She had the chance to save both their lives. Another lesson is the lie that she told to the apostle Peter. God hates lies (Proverbs 6:17). When Peter confronted Sapphira about the price of the property, her husband had already died; Peter asked the same question he asked Ananias. This was a chance for Sapphira to confess. She probably would not have died if she had told the truth to Peter. Peter confronted these two as individuals, not as a couple. The lesson is that we cannot blame a spouse for our lack of spiritual discernment, nor can we ride into heaven on the coattails of the one with whom we have the closest earthly tie. We are drawn as individuals. We will be judged as individuals. Joanna Joanna is another Christian wife we find in the New Testament. The first time she is mentioned is in Luke 8:1-3 where we read, “And it came about … that he [Jesus] began going about … proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God … and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: … Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward … contributing to their support out of their private means.” We can imagine how Joanna would finish her own chores at home and then hurry to learn more from the Master, following him whenever possible. She had evidently been healed by Jesus of some evil spirit or some sickness. She realized this was a special teacher so she showed her gratitude and her loyalty. Joanna found a way to support Jesus’ ministry, probably by financial means and perhaps by other goods and possessions. Surely this is what a good Christian wife wants to do. Who cares about self-adornment when we can change our attitudes and hearts? Joanna most likely looked for ways to set aside a little bit each day or week. Perhaps she gave up personal comforts or extras so she could do this. Although she could not directly teach the people, she could still contribute and give her little “all” to the one who had healed her. Her faithfulness is further shown in that she was at the tomb of Jesus (see Luke 24:10) along with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James. This was early in the day and they saw the empty tomb of Jesus. They were blessed by hearing the words of the angel saying that Jesus had risen! We do not know whether Chuza was a believer or not, but we do know Joanna was. How special this Christian wife must have been to be mentioned by Luke twice. She was evidently greatly admired. Priscilla Priscilla was married to Aquila. Each time they are mentioned in the Scriptures they are mentioned together. Usually Priscilla is mentioned first which suggests her importance. They were the perfect team in devoting themselves to the service of the early church and especially to the apostle Paul. He calls them his fellow laborers in Christ Jesus in Romans 16:3 and it seems that they actually risked their lives for him although the circumstances are unknown. They were hospitable for 1 Corinthians 16:19 mentions that the church was in their home. Priscilla probably made special provisions to have a room where the brethren could meet. What joy we have in preparing and welcoming brethren into our homes for meetings and fellowship. We are only stewards of what God has given us and nothing we have should be considered owned by us. It is the Lord’s house, it is the Lord’s money, and it is the Lord’s time. Priscilla was knowledgeable in what she believed. In Acts 18:24-28 Apollos came on the scene and enthusiastically proclaimed the Scriptures. Verse 26 shows that although he was enthusiastic, he may have been inaccurate in interpreting some of the Scriptures. Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos aside and helped him to a better knowledge of the Scriptures. Apollos became a great teacher in the early church. Perhaps the words and counsel of Priscilla and Aquila were just what he needed to rightly divide the word of truth. The example of Priscilla and Aquila is a wonderful example of the fulfilling of what Jesus mentions: “They are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let no man separate” (Matthew 19:6). Tradition says Priscilla and Aquila were both beheaded. But they had been “beheaded” years before in serving the Lord, Paul, and all the brethren on a daily basis and in full harmony with one another. Submission Several Scriptures discuss the marriage relationship. The ones pertaining to women are 1 Corinthians 7; 11:2-16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-8. There are good thoughts in Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 6, pp. 264-272, 496-518. We need to separate carefully what might be the tradition of time or place and what is from the Lord. Paul writes, “But I say … I give instructions, not I, but the Lord … But to the rest I say, not the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:8-12, NAS). Peter says wives should be submissive, chaste, and have respectful behavior, gentleness and a quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:1-8, NAS). What does this mean? To be submissive means to yield to one’s advice. This is the same word used in 1 Peter 2:13 where we are told to submit to human institutions. This indicates a respect and a willingness to recognize the order of society. Does this mean a wife should hold back her gifts and go against God’s principles? Not at all. Look at the positive examples given earlier. All of these women were recognized by God as individuals who used their talents to serve him. Influence should be offered, not demanded. To be meek or have a gentle and quiet spirit means to accept God and how he is dealing with us. We should recognize that the husband is the head of the house (1 Corinthians 11:3) and we should want to please him just as we want to please our heavenly Father and his son (our prospective husband). Submission and meekness take great strength to achieve. It is actually strength under control. The Christian wife of today has a unique opportunity to be a true picture of the church. Just as a wife should learn to respect her husband, the church must learn to respect and honor the Lord. The qualities listed for wives are also the qualities for all Christians. Christians want to learn to be submissive and meek in all things, perhaps even when their rights are put aside. Paul writes to Timothy that women should be silent in the church (1 Timothy 2:11, 12). We all want to listen and be silent so we can hear what the Lord is trying to teach us. This life is all too short. We need to learn our lessons for eternity and that may require a wife to bite her tongue at times or submit to a decision the husband has made. It is not practical for all women in the church to be literally silent today. Women in most countries have the same education and opportunities as men. In the United States, most ecclesias have more women than men. God does not distinguish between male and female when calling members to be a part of the body of Christ. We need everyone’s insights into the Scriptures. But women are not to be public preachers or elders because this goes against God’s order. Christian wives have the unequaled chance to show by their behavior what Christ wants in his Bride: “…the unfading loveliness of a calm and gentle spirit, a thing very precious in the eyes of God” (1 Peter 3:4, Phillips). Do we want to be precious in the eyes of God? Of course we do. May we faithfully accept each experience as a tool to learn how to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. which you have labored under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:9, NAS). |