Thoughts About a Married Woman’s Surname

While surnames do occasionally appear in the Holy Bible, we see couples are referred to by their first names, usually when the matter is written in a third person. However, titles of respect, like “my father,” “my mother,” “my daughter-in-law,” were used within families, especially godly ones. It seems to me that there was more respect then than there is now. There was even more respect in just a few decades ago. I clearly remember my soon-to-be brother-in-law at that time refer to my parents as “Mom” and “Dad” and never by their first names. He and my sister are happily married to this day. As a side thought, using “Mr.” or “Mrs.” when addressing non-family people older than us engenders a level of respect which today’s society so desperately needs.

The Word of God states we are in the latter days, and in a time when iniquity will increase. Most of us realize marriage, which is the sacred union between a man and a woman, has come under attack. The big attacks on marriage often obscure the little ones, such as the world encouraging married women to use “Ms.” instead of “Mrs.” Add to this a 1990s surge when married women were encouraged to keep their maiden name.

Biblically, I feel a married woman, especially one who states she is a disciple of Christ, needs to take her husband’s surname. For one thing, the Word declares wife and husband to be one flesh (Gen. 2:24, Matt. 19:6, Eph. 5:31)*. In the New Testament, the Church is alluded to as Christ’s bride (John 3:29, Eph. 5:24-32). The society of that time got a sense of that relationship, dubbed believers as Christians (Acts 26:28), and thus alluded that His disciples took on His Name. It seems quite odd to me when a wedding is performed but the husband and wife then leave the location with different surnames.

A true disciple of Christ that has reached even a basic level of an understanding His Word will grasp the fact that his very life is not his own (Luke 14:26, 1 Cor. 6:19-20). Christ is the Head of every individual in Him and is Head of His Church. For the family, Ephesians 5:23 states, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Until this divine arrangement is accepted by both husband and wife there is room for satan** to get a foothold and sow discord within the family unit. Having a common surname speaks of unity with God and between husband and wife. The other arrangement might place in the minds of some a  thought of independence from God and His Word, which is really not freedom but bondage to the unChristlike thinking of the world and offers an array of problems to the family unit including di-vor-ce***.

I strongly encourage married ladies, especially those who truly belong to Christ, to turn a deaf ear to the world and take their husband’s surname if they have not already done so. Send a clear message to the world that you stand for what God has established for marriage.

Notes:

 * 1 Cor. 6:16 states one joined to a harlot is one flesh with her, but this does not mean they are married. On this matter, please see my article titled, “Strengthen A Foundation of Marriage: The Vow.”

** Because I once was a satanist and refused to capitalize “God” unless I had to, I avoid capitalizing “satan” when I can. Triond permits me that freedom of expression.

*** This word was purposely distorted to avoid unwanted advertisements, especially from marriage weasels.

Lord willing this article will be part of my Bible GemLight series as pyrope003.

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