Ephesians focuses on family of God The success of human families is vital

to the success of the church

Our walk, 4:1-6:24 Our filling, 5:18 Five words, 19-21 Three applications

Wife – husband Child – parents Slave – master

Marriage PlansEp.5:22-33

I. Wives – Submit, Ep.5:22-24

Submission (the bridge)

21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. [24]

22 Wives, [submit] to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

You go this way.And you, [go] that way.

Why is submission unpopular?

Rudeness is a weak man’s imitation of strength. 1 Tim.5:14

Bible elevated women, children Not inferior. Ex.1; Ph.1 Not insignificant. Gn.1; Pr.31; Ga.3

Misuse (abuse)

Misunderstanding

Submission as to the Lord

21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. [24]

22 Wives, [submit] to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Children, 6:1Slaves, 6:5

1 Co.11:31 Tim.2:11-14

Not unconditional

(Ac.5:29)Not one-sided

Submission honors God

Headship

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

Head: 4:15-16 “Savior of U.S.”?

Submission

1. Not absolute (cf. 20).

2. Required.

3. Voluntary.

24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Free will; Lord does not force obedience (or marriage)

A matter of salvation

I. Wives – Submit, Ep.5:22-24

II. Husbands – Love, Ep.5:25-33

Parallel Love (1)

Men emphasize submission, ignore love

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

O.T. figureIs.54:5-8

BridegroomMk.2:18-20

How does Christ love His church? Strongly (“love”). 2:4 Sacrificially (“gave Himself”). 1:7; Ro.5:8 Spiritually (“sanctify”). 5:3 Spotlessly (“cleanse w. washing of water”)

“An unambiguous reference to baptism” (Stott) “The bath that brings about regeneration Tit 3:5” (BDAG); ‘washing, baptism’ (L-N).

Ac.19:1-7. Ac.22:16. 1 Co.12:13

How does Christ love His church? Strongly (“love”). 2:4 Sacrificially (“gave Himself”). 1:7; Ro.5:8 Spiritually (“sanctify”). 5:3 Spotlessly (“cleanse w. washing of water”) Steadfastly (“present to Himself, glorious”)

2 Co. 11:2 (Rv.19:6, 9; 21:2)Final result: splendor; Lk.7:25

Parallel Love (2)

Christ’s love, 3:19 Self love, Mt.7:12

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

1. Nourish (feed) 6:4; supply needs

2. Cherish (more than physical care)

Cherish

1. Lit., warm, Dt.22:6

2. Fig.: keep warm by showing affection

3. Tender attachment, v.29; 1 Th.2:7

4. Tend, care for (Spicq)

Christ’s bride and bodyare the same (23, 30)

A great mystery (3:1-6, Gentiles) Ex.16 – Jn.6, manna . . . Christ Gn.2:24 – Ep.5:31-32, church

Marriage relation is modelof church’s relation w. Christ. In Christ: one new man (2:15);in marriage: one new flesh, 31.

Husband: love; wife: respect, 33.

Applications

1. Does not use “love” to describe wife’s duty to husband (Tit.2:4)

*Submission is a form of love

We “submit” to Christ by yielding

our will to His

We “love” Christ by yielding our will to His. 1 Pt.3:5-6

1. Submission is love

2. Husband (head) receives emphasis

*If he is right, whole family will be right

*If he is wrong, whole family will suffer

Husbands, love wife (25, 28, 33)

Husbands, love AS Christ (25, 29, 33)

1. Submission is love2. Emphasis on husband

3. Emphasis on husband-wife relation-ship

*Parents determine direction of children

Eli Zacharias and Elizabeth

1. Submission is love2. Emphasis on husband

3. Emphasis on husband-wife

4. Husband-wife must communicate

*Husband: bait-and-switch…

*Wife stews in resentment…

Desire constructive criticism1. Start with self; what can I do...?

2. Be eager to listen, 2 Co.13:53. Goal: not to win argument . . .

1. Submission is love2. Emphasis on husband

3. Emphasis on husband-wife 4. Husband-wife must communicate

5. If one partner is not a Christian, on what basis can you expect this to work?

Abigail & Nabal Ruth & Boaz