CHAPTER IV
THE OBLIGATIONS OF HUSBAND AND WIFE
BESIDES the obligations which are treated of under Marriage, and the rights and obligations arising out of property belonging to married people, which are discussed under the Seventh Commandment, there are certain obligations arising from marriage inasmuch as it places the husband in a ..position of authority and the wife in one of subjection. A word must here be said concerning their mutual obligations in this respect.
The wife becomes by marriage subject to her husband, and owes him love, reverence, and obedience, as to a superior. " Let women be subject to their husbands as to the Lord," says St Paul. " Because the husband is the head of the wife: as Christ is the head of the Church. . . . Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let wives be to their husbands in all things." [1]
However, a wife is not the slave or servant of her husband, but rather his companion, and so, though subject and bound to obey in all that relates to family life and conduct, yet she should be treated with love, consideration, and deference, and consulted in what concerns the family affairs.
The wife will commit grave sin if she shows great contempt for her husband, habitually neglects his commands, and arrogates his authority to herself without just cause.
The husband is bound to support his wife and family according to English law, who therefore have a claim in justice upon him as well as in piety. The husband sins grievously by treating his wife with habitual harshness and neglect, and by not providing for her necessities and those of her children. In this latter case the wife would not be guilty of sin if she took from her husband without his knowledge what was necessary for the decent support of the family.
- ↑ Eph. v 33-34.
