Some Christians believe women should “follow the science” and let the government (CDC, NIH) determine their proper weight. Others believe that women should weigh whatever makes them feel good about themselves. But what does the Bible teach? What biblical principles should guide a Christian woman in her weight loss journey?
The Bible says in Ephesians 5:24 (KJV) “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing”. And “every thing” includes how much a woman weighs.
Since God has given the husband complete control over his wife, including her body, what considerations then should guide the husband in determining the right weight for his wife? The answer is that her duties should determine her weight.
The three primary duties of a wife are to bear children (1 Timothy 5:14), keep her home (Titus 2:5) and bring sexual pleasure to her husband (Proverbs 5:18-19). And all of these duties are to be done in complete submission to her husband.
A woman’s fertility can be hindered by a body fat percentage that is too high or too low. Also, her ability to care for her home and her children may be impacted by a body fat percentage that is too high or too low. These are two important considerations for husbands.
After considering impacts to her fertility as well as her duties to care for their home and their children there is another very important consideration a man must take into account. What weight on his wife most sexually intoxicates him? (Proverbs 5:18-19)
Some men prefer large breasts, large hips and large rear ends on their wives. And this combination often requires these women to have a higher body fat percentage. Other men prefer a smaller fit build with small breasts, small hips and small rear ends on their wives.
All women gain weight as a result of their pregnancies. The question of them returning to their pre-pregnancy weight is completely up to the husband. Does he like her post pregnancy body better or does he want her to lose the weight? The choice is his.
The four biblical principles that determine a Christian wife’s proper weight are as follows:
1. God wants wives to submit to their husbands.
2. God wants wives to have children.
3. God wants wives to be homemakers.
4. God wants wives to be sexually pleasing to their husbands.
If you as a woman are fulfilling all these tasks which God has given you with the weight you are at, then you have a healthy weight in the eyes of God.
In the final part of this series, we will discuss the scenario of a fat husband expecting his wife to remain fit
Biblical Gender Roles 
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