Biblical material relevant to
“Living With Women”

A structured, citation-rich survey grouped by topic (domestic life, family obligations, sexual ethics, household economy, etc.). Citations use the standard book‑chapter‑verse format; no interpretive opinions are offered.

A friend has been asking a lot of questions about living with a woman (married of course). SpaceX has a ship called "Just Read the Directions". I was thinking of that when I asked my friend if he had ever read the instruction book that came with his wife. This is it, or at least a basic quick start guide. I trust that God's Holy Spirit will guide you into understanding and practicing the truths embodied in the following. And it is not an exhaustive list. The adventure just begins here.

I suggested that he read it together with his partner. It will not always be easy. But it will bear fruit.

Scope note

“Living with women” is taken broadly: wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, widows, in-laws, female servants, neighbors, and women in the community of faith. Both Old and New Testaments are included.

1) Foundational principles about men and women

• Creation, shared divine image/value: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18–24; Genesis 5:1–2.
• Neighbor-love and non-harm (applies to women as neighbors): Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9–10.
• Dignity/“co-heirs of the grace of life”: 1 Peter 3:7.
• Unity in Christ (status before God): Galatians 3:28.
• Wisdom about character and the home: Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 11:16; Proverbs 31:10–31.

2) Marriage & cohabitation (how to live with a wife)

• Marriage as covenant/cleaving: Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14–16; Matthew 19:4–6; Mark 10:6–9.
• Mutual love, care, respect:
  • Husbands love/sacrifice: Ephesians 5:25–33; Colossians 3:19.
  • Live considerately/honor wives: 1 Peter 3:7.
  • Mutual conjugal duty/authority over each other’s bodies: 1 Corinthians 7:3–5.
  • Mutual submission in the household: Ephesians 5:21.
  • Wives respect/submit to husbands (household code passages): Ephesians 5:22–24; Ephesians 5:33; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1–6.
• Provision and responsibility for one’s household: 1 Timothy 5:8.
• Faithfulness; prohibition of adultery and coveting a neighbor’s wife: Exodus 20:14; Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:18; Deuteronomy 5:21; Proverbs 5:15–23; Proverbs 6:24–35; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:27–28.
• Marital kindness vs. quarrelsomeness: Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 19:13–14; Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 21:19; Proverbs 27:15–16.
• Practical obligations (OT law): food, clothing, marital rights owed to a wife: Exodus 21:10.

3) Divorce, separation, remarriage

• Mosaic regulation of divorce/remarriage: Deuteronomy 24:1–4.
• Prophetic critique of treachery against one’s wife: Malachi 2:14–16.
• Jesus’ teaching on divorce: Matthew 5:31–32; Matthew 19:3–9; Mark 10:2–12; Luke 16:18.
• Pauline counsel: 1 Corinthians 7:10–16; 1 Corinthians 7:39-40 (including separation; 1 Corinthians 7:mixed-faith marriages; 1 Corinthians 7:widow/widower remarriage “in the Lord”).

4) Mixed belief marriages / partnering

• OT cautions against marriages that lead to idolatry: Deuteronomy 7:3–4; 1 Kings 11:1–4; Ezra 9; Ezra 10; Nehemiah 13:23–27.
• NT guidance: marry “in the Lord”: 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Corinthians principle of unequal yoking often applied:2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.

5) Sexual ethics, consent, and protection

• General sexual holiness: Leviticus 18; Leviticus 20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–6.
• Adultery/fornication prohibited: Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 6; Proverbs 7; 1 Corinthians 6:9–20; Hebrews 13:4.
• Assault/rape laws and narratives:
  • Laws: Deuteronomy 22:25-27 (violent assault condemned); Deuteronomy 22:28–29; Exodus 22:16–17.
  • Narratives condemning sexual violence: 2 Samuel 13; Judges 19.
• Incest prohibitions (protecting close female relatives): Leviticus 18:6–18; Leviticus 20:11–21; Deuteronomy 27:20–23; 1 Corinthians 5.
• Menstruation and sexual relations: Leviticus 15:19–24; Leviticus 18:19; Leviticus 20:18; Ezekiel 18:6.
• Prostitution prohibited: Leviticus 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17–18; Proverbs 23:27–28; 1 Corinthians 6:15–20.
• Positive celebration of marital intimacy: Song of Songs (e.g., 4:1–16; 7:1–13).

6) Polygyny/concubinage and related safeguards (OT context)

• Examples and cautions in narratives: Genesis 29; Genesis 30; 1 Samuel 1:1–8; 2 Samuel 3:2–51 Kings 11:1-8 (negative outcomes).
• Legal protections where polygyny existed: Exodus 21:10-11 (continued obligations to a first wife)Deuteronomy 21:15-17 (firstborn rights not to be denied).
• Captive-wife regulation (humanizing constraints in an ancient setting): Deuteronomy 21:10–14.

7) Obligations to mothers, daughters, sisters, and in-laws

• Honor parents (includes honoring one’s mother): Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Proverbs 23:22–25; Ephesians 6:1–3.
• Respectful conduct toward older/younger women: 1 Timothy 5:1–2.
• Protection and dignity for widowed mothers: John 19:26-27 (Jesus and Mary).
• Daughters’ care and protections: Numbers 30 (vows under father/husband authority in OT law)Numbers 27:1–11; Numbers 36:1-12 (inheritance-daughters of Zelophehad).
• Brother-in-law (levirate) duty to a widow: Deuteronomy 25:5–10Ruth 1–4 (narrative application via kinsman-redeemer).
• In-law loyalty and support: Ruth 1:16–17; Ruth 2:11–12; Ruth 4:13–17.

8) Widows—care, justice, and household duty

• God’s concern; community obligation: Exodus 22:22–24; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 14:28–29; Deuteronomy 24:17–22; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:6; Zechariah 7:9–10.
• NT religion “pure and undefiled”: James 1:27Acts 6:1-6 (provision structures).
• Family first line of support: 1 Timothy 5:3-16 (including guidance for households and church).

9) Household economy and daily life with women

• Portrait of an industrious wife managing a household and commerce: Proverbs 31:10–31.
• Younger widows/wives “manage the household”: 1 Timothy 5:14 (ESV “manage; 1 Timothy 5:” Gk. oikodespotein).
• Hospitality to women and with women: 2 Kings 4:8–10; Luke 10:38–42; Romans 16:1–2.
• Sabbath rest extends to daughters and female servants: Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:14.
• Fair treatment of female servants: Exodus 21:7-11 (specific protections)Deuteronomy 15:12-18 (release).

10) Conflict handling, reconciliation, and vows

• Marital reconciliation/consent about intimacy: 1 Corinthians 7:3–6.
• Peacemaking broadly (applies within homes): Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 4:31–32; Colossians 3:12–15.
• OT regulation of women’s vows in the household: Numbers 30.

11) Dress, modesty, and customs (domestic/community overlap)

• Modesty and inner character emphasized: 1 Timothy 2:9–10; 1 Peter 3:3–4.
• Head-coverings and honor/shame rationale in worship (household-community interface): 1 Corinthians 11:2–16.

12) Women in the community of faith (shaping household life indirectly)

• Older women teaching younger women what is good (home-life virtues): Titus 2:3–5.
• Mutual ministry of a married couple: Acts 18:2–3; Acts 18:18; Acts 18:26 (Priscilla and Aquila).
• Jesus’ interactions modeling dignity toward women: Luke 7:36–50; Luke 8:1–3; Luke 10:38–42; Luke 13:10–17; John 4:7–26; John 8:1–11; Mark 5:25–34.

13) Case studies & narratives that inform domestic life

• Ruth & Ruth Boaz (care for a vulnerable widow; Ruth honorable courtship):Ruth 2; Ruth 3; Ruth 4.
• Abigail and Nabal (wisdom and peacemaking in a difficult marriage): 1 Samuel 25.
• Hannah (piety within marriage; family worship): 1 Samuel 1; 1 Samuel 2.
• Proverbs 7 (warning against predatory adultery); Proverbs contrast withSong of Songs (mutual desire within marriage).

14) “Edge” or specialized topics still relevant

• Bride-price/dowry customs: Exodus 22:16–17; Genesis 24; Genesis 29:18–20; Genesis 34:12.
• Guardianship/arrangement of marriages in some contexts: 1 Corinthians 7:36–38.
• Oaths and rash vows affecting women (cautionary narrative): Judges 11:30-40 (interpretations vary).

15) Summary themes (with representative citations)

• Covenant fidelity and sacrificial love ground domestic life (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14–16Ephesians 5:25-33).
• Mutual obligations, respect, and consideration are commanded (1 Corinthians 7:3–5; Ephesians 5:211 Peter 3:7).
• Justice and provision for vulnerable women (widows, servants) are non-negotiable (Exodus 22:22–24James 1:27).
• Sexual faithfulness, consent, and protection are legislated and celebrated (Deuteronomy 22:25–27; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 6; Proverbs 7Song of Songs).