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Part 3 - An Introduction into the ethics of the apostle (Ephesians 4:1 – 6:20)
B - The Christian household (Ephesians 5:21 - 6:9) The new life regimen for women (Ephesians 5:21-24)
Ephesians 5:21-24
5:21 “submitting to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything” (Eph. 5:21-24).
Paul was not married and had not experienced the marital sentiments of a wife. In his expositions he followed the visions and teaching of the Old Testament and was mindful of the strong emotions of the women in the Near East. The fact that he also taught these principles in Greece, in the worship center of Diana, the goddess of fertility, showed his dismay over the godless life-style of men and women who had come under the sway of this Greek-Roman idolatry.
First of all, Paul began by teaching the universal principle of Christ, whereby humility and meekness constitute foundational principles of the Christian life. In this sense Jesus, too, completely submitted Himself to His Father in heaven. He summoned His followers to learn from Him, for otherwise they would find no rest for their souls (Matt. 11:28-30).
In this manner the apostle, too, urged the members of a Christian household to first exercise reciprocal submission in the fear of the Lord – whether it be adults or children, employers or employees. This foundational conduct of a person has been largely done away with in our modern society, such that respect for almost every authority has been undermined, and where every person should have the right to live free and unbound. No one should order him around – except the majorities in a democracy. Therefore, a three year old can angrily protest and contradict: “I am free!”
Since today the majority of women rarely submit to the ordinances of the Bible, more than a third of all marriages in the Federal Republic of Germany end in divorce, which can only happen because each woman wants to be free, unbound and possess equal rights. Some say: “The women now wear the pants”, and have become directors, doctors, professors, presidents, bishops and even soldiers. In sports hundreds of women receive gold medals for the highest of achievements. Recently some contemporary churches in the USA have started to pray the Lord´s prayer with “Our Mother in heaven”. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is celebrated and worshipped by millions as the Mother of God and the co-redeemer. The so-called “Whore of Babylon” will, at the end of the age and for a period of time, ride upon and command the beast of the antichrist, until the time comes when she will be, with one blow, destroyed (Rev. 17:1-19:5). “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 3:22).
In spite of these meteoric developments, Paul´s demand for the Christian marriage is the wife´s submission to her husband, as if he were her Lord God. This submission is to occur in all things. Peter, too, referred to such life conduct (1 Pet. 3:1-6). In giving such direction the Torah student precisely reiterated the consequences of the creation accounts.
We find, however, with the composers of the four gospels, as well as the Scriptures of James, John and the writer of Hebrews, no such radical demands. This allows for the view that Jesus was merciful and generous, and saw the marriages of His followers more under the spiritual realm of the New Testament, rather than in the ordinances of the Old Testament.
Even Paul, in consequential accordance of his spiritual understanding, limited the framework of the wife´s submission to her husband: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28). This encouraging confession of the apostle to the nations overcomes the false understanding some have of his laws for the home. It also creates an equality of rights for man and woman in all spiritual areas. Thus Paul gives precedence of faith and life in the Holy Spirit over biological realities and culturally bound traditions. A marriage in which Jesus is the third partner within the marriage covenant daily experiences the wonder of a Christian marriage. It is best reflected in the German word for marriage “EHE”. There, Jesus, as the Lord (Herr), continually stands between two egoists.
Wherever true love and trust exists in a marriage between a husband and wife, there is no longer the question of submission, for each of the two have a desire to practice love and service. Of their own accord each submits to the other. Where true love reigns in a marriage, there are no more problems of dominion and power. Both try to find the best way, and the Lord blesses and leads them in the way of peace.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we worship You, for You created man and woman and gave them authority, in love, humility and the fear of God, to take part in the creation and in the multiplying of mankind. Forgive us when we give less and less heed to mutual submission in Your creation, all the while desiring to be free and unbound. Teach us, so that we might live out, in the love of Christ, humility and meekness in our families. Amen.
Questions:
- Why do we not want to mutually submit to one another?
- What mandate in particular do we need to regard in our marriages?