What makes a man abuse a woman?

The answer is simple "Power." 

The measure of a man is what he does with power - Plato. 

Men are naturally stronger than women physically. If the man has an economic advantage, he is likely also to exhibit power over the finances of his home or relationship. 

What you do with your power as a man is what differentiates between abuse and empowerment.

Religiously speaking, from a Christian lens, we believe that the man is the head. We are quick to quote Ephesians 5: 22, "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife..."