Benevolence

1 Corinthians 7:4 "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband."

Benevolence is not a word we often use these days. However, its meaning is quite easy to understand. It means good will or kindness. It finds its root in a compound word meaning to be "well-minded" or to be reconciled and in agreement.

I've been thinking a lot of the husband-wife relationship lately. So many couples that I see appear from the outside to tolerate each other, yet there does not seem to be any benevolence in the relationship. Benevolence, kindness has a connotation of tenderness. It requires care and thought beyond the normal course of things.

Jesus was very clear that the command to "Love your neighbor as yourself" applied to everyone, everyone is your neighbor. So husbands and wives ought to love each other as themselves. But they are called to go above and beyond that. Add to that love, benevolence.