Marriage Matters, Pt. 2

Paul begins in this section on the marriage relationship with a word of command, first for the wife and then for the husband.

Marriage Matters, Pt. 2

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord."

(Ephesians 5:22)

Paul begins in verse 22 in this section on the marriage relationship with a word of command, first for the wife and then for the husband. The two words Paul uses in describing the primary responsibilities for wives in the marriage covenant relationship are submit and respect. The primary responsibility for husbands is love.

Wives, contribute to your marriage with submission and respect (vv. 22-25, 33). Before you tune me out for using the "s" word, please listen and allow God to speak to you through His Word. Paul, in our text in Ephesians 5:22, and Peter, in 1 Peter 3:1, both use this Greek word, hypotasso, when describing the way a wife should treat her husband. It is a military term that literally means "to line up under." In Ephesians 5:22, it is in the imperative mood, the language of command, and in 1 Peter 3:1, it is a present tense verb, meaning continuous action.

In 1 Corinthians 11:3, Paul clearly states that man is in a leadership role. He writes, "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." When you hear these biblical statements, make sure you properly understand what the biblical writers are saying and what they are not saying. Think function, not essence. When Scripture teaches that wives are to be submissive to their husbands, it is not a statement about who is superior and who is inferior. The thrust of what Paul and Peter are saying is about leadership. In every group of two or more people, someone has to give direction and leadership.

The Trinity provides the best example. All three Persons of the Godhead are equally God; one is not more God than the others. In function however, the Father is the head or leader; He is the One who sends the Son. In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes it very clear that He is sent by God to do His will. John 5:30 states, "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." The Holy Spirit exalts or glorifies Jesus according to John 16:14: "He [the Holy Spirit] will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." There is equality in the Godhead, but there is also leadership and submission.

The opposite of this submissive spirit is a demanding, belligerent, domineering woman who rejects God's plan for the home. Again, she should not look upon herself as being inferior to her husband. She may be more intelligent than he is or have a more successful career, but she still is to follow her husband's good and godly leadership in the home.

The Book of Proverbs is so amazing. It has much to say about so many practical issues that we face today. For example, Proverbs describes the home life where the wife is not submissive but dominant. The husband would rather dwell on the housetop than live within the same room as her! (Proverbs 25:24) Proverbs 21:19 states, "Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman."

Ladies, you might be asking if I am going to say anything to the men, because they need it! Yes ma'am, I will soon this week address the men and their role and responsibilities in the marriage covenant. We can trust God and His Word. He has a great plan for every marriage and home, and blessed are those moms and dads, husbands and wives who submit to God's will and God's ways.