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The Complete Husband: A Practical Guide to Biblical Husbanding
What does it take to be a "Biblical Husband"? The Complete Husband by Lou Priolo is the ground-breaking book that Christian men have been waiting for. In it, the author turns his years of biblical counseling wisdom to the subject of being a husband.
The author reminds his readers that pleasing their wives does not automatically equate to the sexual arena. Men must think in terms of the whole relationship, and the whole person. However, since he is aware that sexual relations is part of the blueprint God created for marriage, he devotes an entire chapter to the subject.
Above all, Priolo stresses that it is correct biblical thinking that leads to tender actions that in turn lead to complete fulfillment in the marriage bond.
The author reminds his readers that pleasing their wives does not automatically equate to the sexual arena. Men must think in terms of the whole relationship, and the whole person. However, since he is aware that sexual relations is part of the blueprint God created for marriage, he devotes an entire chapter to the subject.
Above all, Priolo stresses that it is correct biblical thinking that leads to tender actions that in turn lead to complete fulfillment in the marriage bond.
291 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 1999
161 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Lou Priolo
63 books45 followersLOU PRIOLO is the Director of Biblical Counseling at Eastwood Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A graduate of Calvary Bible College and Liberty University, he is the author of The Heart of Anger , and The Complete Husband. Lou is also a Fellow in the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. He resides in Wetumpka, Alabama with his wife, Kim, and daughters, Sophia and Gabriella.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 27, 2019
O melhor livro cristão para maridos que conheço. Aborda assuntos que outras obras deixam de lado, como o significado de honrar a esposa como a parte mais frágil e o de tratá-la sabiamente. A ênfase na comunicação entre marido e esposa também tem um potencial "revolucionário" aos homens que desejarem levar a sério o ensino bíblico trazido por Lou Priolo. Recomendo muito a todos (inclusive às mulheres!).
December 5, 2025
I plan to re-read this book for the rest of my life.
It felt like a 300 page spiritual punch to the face: Priolo leaves absolutely no room for excuses, passivity, or indifference among husbands...and I loved it. He uses solid biblical exegesis to display how Christ loves the church, expound the implications of what that means, and then call men to unreservedly and unabashedly pursue that standard of loving their wives.
The whole time I was reading, it felt reminiscent of the prophet Nathan saying "you are the man!" to David regarding his sin (2 Sam. 12:7)... I'm so glad I read this as a single man because even though I'm unmarried every chapter revealed another layer of my selfish heart that I didn't before know was there. Over and over I found myself thinking 'I AM the man!' Priolo's main focus is on dissecting the hearts of husbands to show them their sin in regards to loving their wives (selfishness, apathy, harshness, pride, etc.) so that it may be confessed and repented of, and that Christ may enable them to love their wives as Christ loves the church. And because that is its aim, this book will do nothing to a man's heart unless it is read with humility; unless a man approaches this book with a humble heart to say "that is me; I do fail at that; I do sin against my wife that way; I do need to love better" he will get nothing out of it.
Also, loved the practical aspect of the book; each chapter has discussion questions to work through and practical steps/methods to apply the content. Priolo's 35 years of biblical counseling experience are very apparent.
I'm just gonna quote dump because there's so many good ones:
"You must become a life-time student of your wife."
"Many men, however, after successfully accomplishing the challenge of securing themselves a wife, have gone on to other challenges, such as being successful in their vocations or avocations. As a Christian husband, you may not do so. You may not allow anything short of your relationship with Christ to become more of a priority than ministering to your wife."
"She has objectives she would like to reach that would enable her to be a better-satisfied and righteous Christian woman... when you invest the time to talk to her about how she can achieve these objectives (and are willing to sacrifice some of your resources to help her do so), you are regarding your wife as more important than yourself." (Phil. 2:3-4)
"When you are willing to talk to your wife about the things that interest her (no matter how trivial or uninteresting they may be to you), you will be demonstrating a Christlike sacrificial love that makes it easier for her to open up to you."
"Since you and your wife are one flesh, you should be her most intimate friend. If you are not interested in or available to talk to her about the concerns in her heart, she will most likely turn to others for counsel and advice."
"This reluctance to communicate is not in keeping with God's design for man to be the leader (and initiator) of the marital relationship. You simply do not have the right to not engage your wife in the communication that is so essential to a one-flesh relationship."
"You ought to assume 100% of the responsibility for your own sin (even if you believe you are only 5% wrong and your wife is 95% wrong)."
"When God wanted to describe love, He used verbs, because love is something you do much more than something you feel. It involves motion much more than it does emotion."
"The real problem that most of us face is not that we love our wives too much; the real problem is that we do not love our wives enough...if you don't love and care for her as intently as you love and care for yourself, then you don't love her enough."
"How do you respond to your wife when she sins?...Are you mindful that you have married a sinner who will often need to be forgiven, or do you expect her to be perfect? Are you patient with her while she is trying to change or do you expect her to change overnight? Do you love the sinner whom you married as Christ loves his sinful bride?"
"Christian husband, love your sinning wife and do not allow her sins and idiosyncrasies to cause you to become embittered against her. Remember that she has to live with, love, and forgive a man who is also a sinner and peculiar in his own ways."
"One of the most obvious investments that a man must make in his wife is time. How much time did you spend every day talking to your wife before you married her? Do you now invest more or less of your time into talking with her on a daily basis than you did back then?...now that you've got her, is it right for you to forget and neglect those unselfish things that you used to do when you were courting her? Of course not! Now that you've procured her, one of the priorities on your daily agenda should be to please her."
"Whenever I hear a husband complaining about some long-standing character deficiency in his wife, my usual response is to ask him to consider his leadership. "How is it that you have been married to this woman for so long and she still hasn't changed?" "What exactly have you done to help her with her problems?""
"As her spiritual leader, you must set her apart (i.e. make her holy) and purify her through the Scriptures. You must help her, through the Word, to remove her spiritual "spots" and "wrinkles" and "any [other] such thing" (see v.27) that does not conform to the image of Christ. The way you do this is by obeying and using the Word in all your deslings with her."
"Commend her for any and all biblical character traits she possesses...be alert for even the smallest indications of spiritual growth and maturity in her, and praise her for them."
"God is serious about protecting His bride from danger. Have you ever seriously considered how you can protect your bride from the many dangers she may be facing? Do you even know what they are?"
"Wives should be shielded by their husbands from all unnecessary embarrassment, whether it be disrespectful expressions by the children, insulting comments from friends and associates, or the husband's own careless public criticisms or jokes about her idiosyncrasies. You must protect her from all such pejorative remarks."
"Perhaps the most effective way for you to convince your bride that Christ is indeed using you to protect her is to become increasingly more like Christ in the way that you love her."
"You should honor her, because she is God's ordained instrument for your good. She is designed to be your greatest reward this side of glory and your fellow heir of the grace of life."
"Being your wife's head means that you are responsible...but most of all, as her head, you are responsible to love her."
"The voluntary humiliation of oneself to the lowest position among the saints is as the heart of [Matt. 20:20-28]. If you want to be considered great by God and to please Him more than you please man, then you will, like your Lord, take upon yourself the form of a servant. If you want to be a great spiritual leader to your wife, you will become her servant...that's the kind of leadership God is looking for. That's the kind of leader you must be to your wife: a servant-leader."
"As you model being a servant, she will, in all likelihood, find it increasingly easier to submit to your authority. She will love you because you first loved her, as the church does Christ."
It felt like a 300 page spiritual punch to the face: Priolo leaves absolutely no room for excuses, passivity, or indifference among husbands...and I loved it. He uses solid biblical exegesis to display how Christ loves the church, expound the implications of what that means, and then call men to unreservedly and unabashedly pursue that standard of loving their wives.
The whole time I was reading, it felt reminiscent of the prophet Nathan saying "you are the man!" to David regarding his sin (2 Sam. 12:7)... I'm so glad I read this as a single man because even though I'm unmarried every chapter revealed another layer of my selfish heart that I didn't before know was there. Over and over I found myself thinking 'I AM the man!' Priolo's main focus is on dissecting the hearts of husbands to show them their sin in regards to loving their wives (selfishness, apathy, harshness, pride, etc.) so that it may be confessed and repented of, and that Christ may enable them to love their wives as Christ loves the church. And because that is its aim, this book will do nothing to a man's heart unless it is read with humility; unless a man approaches this book with a humble heart to say "that is me; I do fail at that; I do sin against my wife that way; I do need to love better" he will get nothing out of it.
Also, loved the practical aspect of the book; each chapter has discussion questions to work through and practical steps/methods to apply the content. Priolo's 35 years of biblical counseling experience are very apparent.
I'm just gonna quote dump because there's so many good ones:
"You must become a life-time student of your wife."
"Many men, however, after successfully accomplishing the challenge of securing themselves a wife, have gone on to other challenges, such as being successful in their vocations or avocations. As a Christian husband, you may not do so. You may not allow anything short of your relationship with Christ to become more of a priority than ministering to your wife."
"She has objectives she would like to reach that would enable her to be a better-satisfied and righteous Christian woman... when you invest the time to talk to her about how she can achieve these objectives (and are willing to sacrifice some of your resources to help her do so), you are regarding your wife as more important than yourself." (Phil. 2:3-4)
"When you are willing to talk to your wife about the things that interest her (no matter how trivial or uninteresting they may be to you), you will be demonstrating a Christlike sacrificial love that makes it easier for her to open up to you."
"Since you and your wife are one flesh, you should be her most intimate friend. If you are not interested in or available to talk to her about the concerns in her heart, she will most likely turn to others for counsel and advice."
"This reluctance to communicate is not in keeping with God's design for man to be the leader (and initiator) of the marital relationship. You simply do not have the right to not engage your wife in the communication that is so essential to a one-flesh relationship."
"You ought to assume 100% of the responsibility for your own sin (even if you believe you are only 5% wrong and your wife is 95% wrong)."
"When God wanted to describe love, He used verbs, because love is something you do much more than something you feel. It involves motion much more than it does emotion."
"The real problem that most of us face is not that we love our wives too much; the real problem is that we do not love our wives enough...if you don't love and care for her as intently as you love and care for yourself, then you don't love her enough."
"How do you respond to your wife when she sins?...Are you mindful that you have married a sinner who will often need to be forgiven, or do you expect her to be perfect? Are you patient with her while she is trying to change or do you expect her to change overnight? Do you love the sinner whom you married as Christ loves his sinful bride?"
"Christian husband, love your sinning wife and do not allow her sins and idiosyncrasies to cause you to become embittered against her. Remember that she has to live with, love, and forgive a man who is also a sinner and peculiar in his own ways."
"One of the most obvious investments that a man must make in his wife is time. How much time did you spend every day talking to your wife before you married her? Do you now invest more or less of your time into talking with her on a daily basis than you did back then?...now that you've got her, is it right for you to forget and neglect those unselfish things that you used to do when you were courting her? Of course not! Now that you've procured her, one of the priorities on your daily agenda should be to please her."
"Whenever I hear a husband complaining about some long-standing character deficiency in his wife, my usual response is to ask him to consider his leadership. "How is it that you have been married to this woman for so long and she still hasn't changed?" "What exactly have you done to help her with her problems?""
"As her spiritual leader, you must set her apart (i.e. make her holy) and purify her through the Scriptures. You must help her, through the Word, to remove her spiritual "spots" and "wrinkles" and "any [other] such thing" (see v.27) that does not conform to the image of Christ. The way you do this is by obeying and using the Word in all your deslings with her."
"Commend her for any and all biblical character traits she possesses...be alert for even the smallest indications of spiritual growth and maturity in her, and praise her for them."
"God is serious about protecting His bride from danger. Have you ever seriously considered how you can protect your bride from the many dangers she may be facing? Do you even know what they are?"
"Wives should be shielded by their husbands from all unnecessary embarrassment, whether it be disrespectful expressions by the children, insulting comments from friends and associates, or the husband's own careless public criticisms or jokes about her idiosyncrasies. You must protect her from all such pejorative remarks."
"Perhaps the most effective way for you to convince your bride that Christ is indeed using you to protect her is to become increasingly more like Christ in the way that you love her."
"You should honor her, because she is God's ordained instrument for your good. She is designed to be your greatest reward this side of glory and your fellow heir of the grace of life."
"Being your wife's head means that you are responsible...but most of all, as her head, you are responsible to love her."
"The voluntary humiliation of oneself to the lowest position among the saints is as the heart of [Matt. 20:20-28]. If you want to be considered great by God and to please Him more than you please man, then you will, like your Lord, take upon yourself the form of a servant. If you want to be a great spiritual leader to your wife, you will become her servant...that's the kind of leadership God is looking for. That's the kind of leader you must be to your wife: a servant-leader."
"As you model being a servant, she will, in all likelihood, find it increasingly easier to submit to your authority. She will love you because you first loved her, as the church does Christ."
May 12, 2020
This is a fantastic book about being a godly husband. It’s the best kind of kick in the pants you could receive to spur you on to love and honor your wife the way Scripture commands you. I’ll be referring back to this book pretty regularly, I’m sure.
October 17, 2024
This was one of those get your heart dissected type of books. It was convicting and a blessing. The questions throughout to ask your wife are incredibly rich.
December 19, 2023
Kind of a slowness start but very insightful read. Lots of practical applications and examples. Thank you Priolo!
July 26, 2023
4 1/2 stars
Very helpful and the most “complete” biblical handbook of being a godly husband!
Priolo does a very solid job on providing a biblical basis and perspective on being a thorough husband in the areas of being a servant, steward, leader, provider, and protector toward your wife, physically, spiritually, and relationally. The biblical counsel and nuance based in that counsel from general wisdom was very insightful and I’ll be returning to this book many times.
Probs the most helpful were the “1 Peter 3:7 notebook” questions at the end of each chapter. They were open ended, addressed to be asked toward your wife, and contained on average about 8-10 questions for a 14 chapter book! So it’s valuable for sure for many convos with your spouse on living in an understanding way.
Half star was for typical nouthetic biblicism in his exegesis at times and taking certain verses, like Phil. 4:13 for example, out of context but it wasn’t everytime and is to be expected from a biblical counselor, it seems 🤷🏼♂️
Still great though and definitely recommend!
Very helpful and the most “complete” biblical handbook of being a godly husband!
Priolo does a very solid job on providing a biblical basis and perspective on being a thorough husband in the areas of being a servant, steward, leader, provider, and protector toward your wife, physically, spiritually, and relationally. The biblical counsel and nuance based in that counsel from general wisdom was very insightful and I’ll be returning to this book many times.
Probs the most helpful were the “1 Peter 3:7 notebook” questions at the end of each chapter. They were open ended, addressed to be asked toward your wife, and contained on average about 8-10 questions for a 14 chapter book! So it’s valuable for sure for many convos with your spouse on living in an understanding way.
Half star was for typical nouthetic biblicism in his exegesis at times and taking certain verses, like Phil. 4:13 for example, out of context but it wasn’t everytime and is to be expected from a biblical counselor, it seems 🤷🏼♂️
Still great though and definitely recommend!
April 18, 2025
Especially helped by the chapters on communication (1, 3-4), doing good when wronged (7), and spiritual leadership (13).
March 19, 2018
if read and re-read this book would go a long way toward building a great and joyful marriage. highly recommended for couples to go through.
July 15, 2024
I found this to be solid helpful, biblically grounded advice, that is quite in tune with nature and reality as it really is.
February 12, 2021
I found this book very helpful. It’s much more engaging and readable and less textbook-like than The Exemplary Husband. The Exemplary Husband is a great overview of what Scripture says to husbands. This book is not nearly as comprehensive, but it is much better on the practical application side. It’s loaded with very helpful ideas on how to be a better husband. Particularly helpful are all the lists he gives. For example, in one list he gives over 100 ideas for ways to express love to your wife. If you photocopy that list and have your wife check the things that mean a lot to her, and you check the things you think would mean a lot to her, it can be quite eye-opening.
Priolo’s exegesis is a little bit shaky in a few places, but generally speaking the content is much more sound than what you get in most marriage type books that are on the Christian market. I highly recommend this book.
Priolo’s exegesis is a little bit shaky in a few places, but generally speaking the content is much more sound than what you get in most marriage type books that are on the Christian market. I highly recommend this book.
November 16, 2007
This book has opened up hours of conversation with my wife. Very helpful to cover lots of Scripture and practical examples.
December 16, 2017
Louis P. Priolo is the director of biblical counseling at Valleydale Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and the founder and president of Competent to Counsel International. Priolo has been a full-time biblical counselor since 1985 and is a fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. He is a graduate of both Calvary Bible College and Liberty University, and is the author of several books, including The Heart of Anger: Practical Help for Prevention and Cure of Anger in Children, Pleasing People: How Not to be an Approval Junkie, and Resolving Conflict: How to Make, Disturb, and Keep Peace.
Priolo is a world-class thinker and with both the experience and knowledge to help others navigate life through a Christian worldview. One of the lasting achievement to flow from Priolo’s pen is arguably the publication, and now a newly expanded revision of The Complete Husband: A Practical Guide for Improved Biblical Husbanding. The far-reaching impact of exemplifying the characteristics of a biblical husband has the potential to significantly shape a culture, and Priolo offers readers an accessible handbook for engaging such husbandry.
The Complete Husband is a challenging read for anyone who seriously approaches the role of husband. Priolo’s presuppositions for such are established in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit and his assistance therein. Priolo explains, “It is impossible for any man to consistently do what the Bible says without the assistance of the Holy Spirit’s enabling power. So, if you are not a Christian—that is, if you have not put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal salvation—you will not be able to properly apply the contents of this book to your life” (p. 13).
Rightly so, Priolo is consistently straightforward and honest about the biblical teaching that surrounds husbanding, and he doesn’t shy away from allowing the weight of such to penetrate the heart the reader. Throughout The Complete Husband the reader will not only find practical advice but meaningful interaction with the Bible as the foundation. There are also a number of helpful interview-style questions at the conclusion of each chapter and various workbook-style exercises to assist the reader in the study of the content. That’s right, the study of the content. As Priolo appropriately mentions at the outset, “this is not a book you read; rather, it is the kind of book you study . . . it’s a reference book of practical theology that is designed to be referred to again and again” (p. 15).
The Complete Husband is amazingly useful and life-giving on many levels. Priolo has truly given a gift to the Christian community. First, as mentioned above, the content is boldly honest and is uniquely situated to allow the reader to digest and apply. Second, Priolo has intentionally taken care of how the content flows into the various exercises to ensure that the reader is trained on how to implement specific biblical commands (p. 15). Third, the interview questions are pointed towards couple engagement and allow the reader to work through the material with his spouse. I found this aspect of the book to be extremely rewarding. The kind of conversation that arose from these questions was both organic and meaningful, and my wife and I often began to discuss the content together. There are some very pointed and vulnerable questions that you may need to prepare your heart for before discussing. But, if approached with humility and a willingness to hear honest feedback from your spouse, then they will become motivation for conformity to the exemplar husband whom Priolo points the readers—Jesus.
The Complete Husband: A Practical Guide for Improved Biblical Husbanding (Revised and Expanded) by Louis P. Priolo is a book that should be on the shelf of every Christian man—married or preparing for marriage. I couldn’t recommend it more strongly.
Priolo is a world-class thinker and with both the experience and knowledge to help others navigate life through a Christian worldview. One of the lasting achievement to flow from Priolo’s pen is arguably the publication, and now a newly expanded revision of The Complete Husband: A Practical Guide for Improved Biblical Husbanding. The far-reaching impact of exemplifying the characteristics of a biblical husband has the potential to significantly shape a culture, and Priolo offers readers an accessible handbook for engaging such husbandry.
The Complete Husband is a challenging read for anyone who seriously approaches the role of husband. Priolo’s presuppositions for such are established in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit and his assistance therein. Priolo explains, “It is impossible for any man to consistently do what the Bible says without the assistance of the Holy Spirit’s enabling power. So, if you are not a Christian—that is, if you have not put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal salvation—you will not be able to properly apply the contents of this book to your life” (p. 13).
Rightly so, Priolo is consistently straightforward and honest about the biblical teaching that surrounds husbanding, and he doesn’t shy away from allowing the weight of such to penetrate the heart the reader. Throughout The Complete Husband the reader will not only find practical advice but meaningful interaction with the Bible as the foundation. There are also a number of helpful interview-style questions at the conclusion of each chapter and various workbook-style exercises to assist the reader in the study of the content. That’s right, the study of the content. As Priolo appropriately mentions at the outset, “this is not a book you read; rather, it is the kind of book you study . . . it’s a reference book of practical theology that is designed to be referred to again and again” (p. 15).
The Complete Husband is amazingly useful and life-giving on many levels. Priolo has truly given a gift to the Christian community. First, as mentioned above, the content is boldly honest and is uniquely situated to allow the reader to digest and apply. Second, Priolo has intentionally taken care of how the content flows into the various exercises to ensure that the reader is trained on how to implement specific biblical commands (p. 15). Third, the interview questions are pointed towards couple engagement and allow the reader to work through the material with his spouse. I found this aspect of the book to be extremely rewarding. The kind of conversation that arose from these questions was both organic and meaningful, and my wife and I often began to discuss the content together. There are some very pointed and vulnerable questions that you may need to prepare your heart for before discussing. But, if approached with humility and a willingness to hear honest feedback from your spouse, then they will become motivation for conformity to the exemplar husband whom Priolo points the readers—Jesus.
The Complete Husband: A Practical Guide for Improved Biblical Husbanding (Revised and Expanded) by Louis P. Priolo is a book that should be on the shelf of every Christian man—married or preparing for marriage. I couldn’t recommend it more strongly.
March 15, 2025
Maridos Perseguindo a Excelência, de Lou Priolo, é um livro cristão voltado para homens que desejam ser melhores maridos à luz dos princípios bíblicos. Priolo argumenta que o casamento exige esforço e dedicação intencional, e que um marido deve buscar a excelência em sua liderança, amor e serviço à esposa. O livro se baseia em passagens bíblicas para mostrar que o papel do marido vai além do provedor e protetor; ele deve ser um líder espiritual e um exemplo de Cristo dentro do lar. A obra também traz aplicações práticas para o dia a dia, ajudando os maridos a identificarem falhas e a trabalharem na construção de um relacionamento mais sólido e saudável.
Uma das definições centrais do livro é a de amor, que Priolo apresenta como uma atitude altruísta de buscar o bem do outro, independentemente das circunstâncias. O amor, segundo ele, não é apenas um sentimento, mas um compromisso ativo de agir em prol do bem-estar da esposa, mesmo quando isso exige sacrifício pessoal. Esse amor se reflete em paciência, bondade, humildade e um desejo sincero de atender às necessidades da companheira. O autor enfatiza que amar a esposa verdadeiramente significa colocar os interesses dela acima dos próprios, assim como Cristo fez pela igreja.
Em contrapartida, Priolo define o egoísmo como a busca dos próprios interesses em detrimento dos outros. O egoísmo no casamento se manifesta quando um marido prioriza suas vontades, comodidades ou desejos sem considerar o impacto sobre sua esposa. Ele argumenta que o egoísmo é uma das principais raízes dos conflitos conjugais e que a solução está na disposição de abrir mão do próprio conforto para servir e amar genuinamente. O egoísmo, não o ódio, é o contrário do amor.
O livro incentiva os maridos a examinarem suas atitudes e a cultivarem um caráter que reflete o amor de Deus dentro do relacionamento conjugal.
É um livro excepcionalmente instrutivo, prático, bíblico e útil. Sem dúvida, uma obra para reler várias vezes.
Eu li a 2a edição, mas não há o cadastro dele no Goodreads.
Uma das definições centrais do livro é a de amor, que Priolo apresenta como uma atitude altruísta de buscar o bem do outro, independentemente das circunstâncias. O amor, segundo ele, não é apenas um sentimento, mas um compromisso ativo de agir em prol do bem-estar da esposa, mesmo quando isso exige sacrifício pessoal. Esse amor se reflete em paciência, bondade, humildade e um desejo sincero de atender às necessidades da companheira. O autor enfatiza que amar a esposa verdadeiramente significa colocar os interesses dela acima dos próprios, assim como Cristo fez pela igreja.
Em contrapartida, Priolo define o egoísmo como a busca dos próprios interesses em detrimento dos outros. O egoísmo no casamento se manifesta quando um marido prioriza suas vontades, comodidades ou desejos sem considerar o impacto sobre sua esposa. Ele argumenta que o egoísmo é uma das principais raízes dos conflitos conjugais e que a solução está na disposição de abrir mão do próprio conforto para servir e amar genuinamente. O egoísmo, não o ódio, é o contrário do amor.
O livro incentiva os maridos a examinarem suas atitudes e a cultivarem um caráter que reflete o amor de Deus dentro do relacionamento conjugal.
É um livro excepcionalmente instrutivo, prático, bíblico e útil. Sem dúvida, uma obra para reler várias vezes.
Eu li a 2a edição, mas não há o cadastro dele no Goodreads.
January 2, 2018
This is the most serious book on being the complete husband, a practical guide for improved Biblical husbanding. It is a revised and expanded edition from a 1998 guide. Lou Priolo has been a full time biblical counselor for 35 years with his base in Birmingham Alabama. This is no light approach to marriage with cute stories. It is 100% serious admonitions to the husband in every single chapter a Bible verse. Lou has taken every Biblical verse in the Bible that talks of marriage and presents a lesson for the husband in how to be better.
The assumption in his book is that the male head of household has spent at least an hour a day in pray and Bible study, with his wife, and then finds himself needing improvement in his marriage. There is a discussion of sex and divorce, but it is your God given mandate to love your wife 100% and even if she is a nonbeliever not to divorce. This book has no lengthy examples of poor husband but only lists and suggestions page after page with Bible verse ensuring you are a Biblical husband. This is a MANUAL, not a suggestion. It is written to the male head of household and I as a reviewer think our modern male Christian husband in our reformed tradition would say it is over the top too hard to do, but might consider trying to improve his husband role. There is not too much on rearing children, only the relationship with the wife. Most of his footnotes refer to other books by himself, and every single paragraph has a Biblical quote. Very complete and helpful, I am sure, however I have been married 60 years and we never have had such a complete Biblical life in our marriage every minute of every day. I know my husband would never read the book, or change his way of communication in our marriage that we consider to be excellent. Take a serious look at the book, if you need a manual in your library.
September 17, 2018
The Complete Husband by Lou Priolo is “a guide to biblical husbanding.” The wording of that sub-title might be a little awkward to say, but it accurately captures the author’s biblical thesis: husband is not just someone you are, it is something you do. Continually and intentionally. Priolo has written a book about how to be a husband that is helpful and biblical. It is instructive without being academic, biblical without being boring, and easy to read without being shallow. More often than not, the examples and settings of the book seem written to men who are already husbands and maybe have not done such a great job of it (that’s pretty much all of us), but it would also make a good book to give to a man about to be married, in order to shape his mind with biblical thoughts of how to husband. The only complaint I have is that some of the author’s wording and style of writing about leadership/headship dynamics in a marriage is occasionally less than nuanced. I’m not advocating for an egalitarian point of view, but I would have liked to see him give more active consideration to the fact that many (most?) of today’s readers will need to be brought along in their understanding of leadership and headship dynamics in a marriage. Having said that, it was a minor point in a great book and I think any man who is married, will be married, wants to be married, or might be married, should read it.
Want to read
October 30, 2020What does it take to be a "Biblical Husband"? The Complete Husband by Lou Priolo is the ground-breaking book that Christian men have been waiting for.A In it, the author turns his years of biblical counseling wisdom to the subject of being a husband.A The author reminds his readers that pleasing their wives does not automatically equate to the sexual arena.A Men must think in terms of the whole relationship, and the whole person.A However, since he is aware that sexual relations is part of the blueprint God created for marriage, he devotes an entire chapter to the subject.A Above all, Priolo stresses that it is correct biblical thinking that leads to tender actions that in turn lead to complete fulfillment in the marriage bond.
February 17, 2025
This is the best book on marriage that I have read. My biggest takeaway is the Biblical responsibility that Priolo lays out for the husband. Basically it comes down to this… I as a husband am responsible for my wife’s success in every area of life (spiritual, physical, emotional, career, family, etc).
If my wife is failing in any area, it is my fault. The Lord gave her to me and I am to present her back to Him spotless.
This is a much stronger stance than I had previously understood or interpreted Scripture to say.
The 1 Peter 3:7 notebook is an incredible idea. I tried it but did not have much success as my marriage is new and there aren’t really any major problems yet. But, I will definitely revisit in a few years.
If my wife is failing in any area, it is my fault. The Lord gave her to me and I am to present her back to Him spotless.
This is a much stronger stance than I had previously understood or interpreted Scripture to say.
The 1 Peter 3:7 notebook is an incredible idea. I tried it but did not have much success as my marriage is new and there aren’t really any major problems yet. But, I will definitely revisit in a few years.
September 3, 2018
Great book & very comprehensive. 5 stars for the practical and biblical insights & help! Excellent from a biblical counseling perspective.
However, I almost did 4 stars because the writing style is a bit dry & it takes endurance to finish the book! Reminds me of The Exemplary Husband in this. I could see using it for a Men’s Breakfast where only 2 chapters are read a month or for counseling a husband & discussing a chapter or two at a time...many of the men I know would not slog through the slower parts (not many illustrations).
However, I almost did 4 stars because the writing style is a bit dry & it takes endurance to finish the book! Reminds me of The Exemplary Husband in this. I could see using it for a Men’s Breakfast where only 2 chapters are read a month or for counseling a husband & discussing a chapter or two at a time...many of the men I know would not slog through the slower parts (not many illustrations).
November 25, 2021
Bueno
Muy bueno
Para cuando inicias tu vida cristiana
Los apéndices son lo mejor
Pero siempre se aprende de los libros
Sin embargo si lo resumo se pueden disminuir muchas páginas
Leerlo; si, vale la pena
Gracias a DIOS por herramientas útiles
Muy bueno
Para cuando inicias tu vida cristiana
Los apéndices son lo mejor
Pero siempre se aprende de los libros
Sin embargo si lo resumo se pueden disminuir muchas páginas
Leerlo; si, vale la pena
Gracias a DIOS por herramientas útiles
December 31, 2021
Vraiment le meilleur livre que j'ai lu sur le rôle du mari. Je le conseille à tous les hommes sans exception. Il est centré sur l'Evangile et très pratique. Je vous assure que votre couple se portera mieux après la mise en pratique de ce livre.
February 15, 2024
This book was a real eye opener of how you’re suppose to treat your wife. You may think you’re a lot right, but when you go through the book, you will see how much there truly is to work on. Being a true Christian husband takes a lot of work and prayer to be the husband your wife deserves.
November 29, 2024
Such a great book. I intend to reread, implement much of its content into my marriage, and tout the book to husbands in my circle. I’ve read Piper and Keller on marriage and they’re great but this has to be the most practical/impactful book I’ve taken in on the subject!
March 12, 2025
This book can apply to. All husbands
I've been married for 48 years and I found it's not too late to make changes. Things that I've said or done in the past unknowingly
may have been hurtful to my wife. Think before you speak
They will
I've been married for 48 years and I found it's not too late to make changes. Things that I've said or done in the past unknowingly
may have been hurtful to my wife. Think before you speak
They will
August 23, 2018
Superior...challenging....honest...Biblically based
October 14, 2018
Read for ministry residency at Stanley Heights Baptist Church.
December 3, 2018
its a good read
July 16, 2019
Average
Most of the book was biblically sound, but at times it seemed to slightly misrepresent man’s authority over his wife. Overall, great for every husband to read.
Most of the book was biblically sound, but at times it seemed to slightly misrepresent man’s authority over his wife. Overall, great for every husband to read.
May 3, 2021
So much great information. I'll have to go over it multiple times to get everything out of it.
May 7, 2021
Read it.
February 26, 2023
Great book.
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