Colossians 3:19 - Homilies By T. Croskery.

The duties of husbands.

"Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."

I. THE DUTY OF LOVE . This love, which is consistent with his headship over her, implies:

1 . That he is to delight in her ( Proverbs 5:18 , Proverbs 5:19 ), and please her ( 1 Corinthians 7:33 ).

2 . That he is to cherish her as Christ the Church ( Ephesians 5:29 ), providing for her support and comfort ( 1 Timothy 5:3 ).

3 . That he is to protect her as the weaker vessel.

4 . That he is not to be bitter against her, using bitter words or sour looks, acting rigorously or imperiously, as if she were a slave and not a companion.

5 . That he is to seek her spiritual good, for she is to be an heir with him of the grace of life. ( 1 Peter 3:7 .)

II. THE REASONS OF THIS DUTY .

1 . The intimacy of the relationship between them. He leaves father and mother to cleave to his wife. She is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh ( Ephesians 5:28 , Ephesians 5:29 , Ephesians 5:33 ).

2 . She was originally provided as a help meet for him. ( Genesis 2:18 .) "Yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant" (Ma Colossians 2:14 ).

3 . She is the glory of the man. ( 1 Corinthians 11:7 .)

4 . The strongest argument is the analogous love of Christ to his Church. ( Ephesians 5:25-28 .)—T. C.