Read Ephesians 5:22-33
As we continue to look at this contrast we must look at the marriage relationship to understand for fully what our roles are as men and women. Let’s first look at the role of women in the marriage relationship. First we must understand that this is being written to believers. So Paul addresses the women first. Wives are to be submissive. Paul here lays down the foundational truth of submission. This command is unqualified no matter the abilities, education, spiritual maturity or any other qualification that the women might have over her husband. This submission is not the husband’s to command but rather the wife’s to offer willingly and lovingly. The phrase own husband has great meaning as well as this limits her submission to the one man God has placed over her and gives balance to the fact the he is her personal intimate possession. The phrase “as to the Lord” gives great significance to submission because the obedient submissive wife’s supreme submission is to the Lord. Thus when she willingly and lovingly submits to her husband she is actually submitting to the Lord as an act of obedience. Please understand that no where in scripture does God give men the right to use this role as a slave bargaining chip. No where does God allow for dictatorship in the home. No where does God place more value on the man over the women. However God does give differing roles for the sake of our benefit not our demise.
Father thank you for the God given roles that each gender has in the marital relationship. Help us to understand the great benefits that come as a result of being obedient to your plan.
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