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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Man’s first duty in marriage is spiritual leadership, not provision, Cleric

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nigerian cleric Bisi Adewale stated that a man's primary duty in marriage is spiritual leadership, not financial provision or emotional expression.
  • Adewale argued that neglecting one's relationship with God undermines the ability to love a spouse and can lead to selfishness and harm.
  • He urged men to prioritize their relationship with God, referencing biblical teachings that other blessings follow a life centered on faith.

Nigerian cleric Bisi Adewale has asserted that a man's foremost responsibility in marriage is spiritual leadership, rather than financial provision or expressing love for his wife. In a widely shared video, Adewale emphasized that men often prioritize providing for their families and loving their wives, but neglect their relationship with God, which he deems the most crucial role.

All men in the house, please listen to this. The first duty of a man in marriage is not to provide. The first duty of a man in marriage is not to love his wife. The first duty of a man in marriage is to be a priest of the family.

— Bisi AdewaleExplaining his view on a man's primary marital duty.

Adewale warned that love without a spiritual foundation can become selfish and detrimental to a marriage. He stated, "If you love your wife without loving God, very soon you will be wicked to that woman because you won’t even know how to love her." He explained that such love becomes self-serving and demanding, potentially leading to deep hurt.

If you love your wife without loving God, very soon you will be wicked to that woman because you won’t even know how to love her. Because your love will be selfish love, demanding love. Very soon you are going to hurt her deeply.

— Bisi AdewaleWarning about the consequences of neglecting spiritual grounding in love.

Referencing biblical teachings, the cleric encouraged men and prospective husbands to place their relationship with God at the forefront. He cited the scripture, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and every other thing shall be added." Adewale described marriage as one of the blessings that naturally follow a life centered on faith.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and every other thing shall be added.

— Bisi AdewaleQuoting scripture to emphasize prioritizing faith.

The cleric's message focuses on the spiritual aspect of marital roles, suggesting that a man's primary duty is to act as the "priest of the family." This perspective shifts the emphasis from material or emotional support to spiritual guidance as the foundational element of a husband's role.

Marriage is other things added.

— Bisi AdewaleDescribing marriage as a blessing that follows a life centered on faith.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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