The Purpose of a Wife

One day in my girls Sunday school class, I asked them if they hoped to grow up and be a wife someday. I was amazed at the fear and dread I saw in the eyes of little first through third grade girls at the thought of growing up to be a wife. I realized from their expressions that they have not been taught God's purpose for a wife nor have they been exposed to very many good examples of a good marriage. I began to explain to them that God created the first man, Adam, and then He created the first woman, Eve. Then I asked them why they think God created Eve.

One girl said, "So that she could have children and multiply the people on the earth." Another girl said, "Because if God created a whole bunch of women He couldn't control all of them, so he made just one!" It appears that their idea of being a wife is to have babies and to be controlled by their husband!

In Genesis 1:28, being fruitful and multiplying was a command that was given to Adam and Eve both together, so that was a part of God's plan after the Fall, but not a plan that was solely the purpose of Eve's creation.

When God created Eve, He created her to be Adam's wife, and she was created to help him. The Bible says in Genesis 2:20, "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him." Genesis 2:18, says "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."

God created a wife for Adam. The Bible tells us in Genesis 2:22-25 that Eve was not only the woman God created but she was Adam's wife. God created Eve to be Adam's wife so that she could help him reach his potential. She could help him accomplish his purpose and be a success.

I love the purpose God gave me when I became a wife. My husband happens to be a pastor. He made sure I knew what his plans were before I married him, but his plans did not discourage me a bit. I loved the thought of helping my husband in our ministry. I enjoy listening to his studies from the Word of God and talking to him about the Bible. I enjoy encouraging him in his work for God. I enjoy serving in our church alongside my husband and working with him in every possible way that I can. I love that God created me to help my husband reach the purpose God has for his life. It is not just his purpose, when I married him it became our purpose.

Being a wife is so much more than babies and driving my husband crazy. It is a union--more than physical--but one of purpose. Together we are much greater than the sum of our parts. We complete each other and it is in my role as a wife that our purpose is fulfilled.