The Bible answers your question from the perspective where a husband mistreats his wife. The woman is the victim of domestic violence.

No where does the Bible teach abuse is acceptable. Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse in marriage are all forms of domestic violence. Remember Ecclesiastes 12:14 (NIV), “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Romans 12:19 (NIV), “…leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Marital Separation is a Scriptural Option

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (KJV), “And unto the married…Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away (divorce) his wife.”

Verse 10 teaches, “Let not the wife depart from her husband”. Generally speaking, God frowns on separation and divorce, but there are exceptions.

“But and if she (the wife) depart” indicates when circumstances are abusive separation may occur. When a marriage is unbearable (dangerous, damaging physically, verbally, or emotionally), separation becomes the necessary exception. Yet, when separated, both husband and wife are to remain unmarried.

“Let not the husband put away his wife.” The term “put away” usually means divorce and can include physical separation. In the period of the early Church, to abandon a wife was cruel because society did not offer women opportunities to become self-supporting through employment.

Husbands may never hurt their wives – either emotionally, spiritually, or physically. When that happens, the wife needs to protect herself and her children.  This principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 7:15 (NKJV), “…God has called us to peace.” 

In fact, husbands are to love their wives as much as they love themselves.  Ephesians 5:28-29 (NIV), “husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church”. 

Jesus would never hurt his Church. He loved us so much that He died for us. Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up (He died) for her.”

As you can see, domestic violence is a detestable sin and is the opposite of God’s design for marital love.