Husbands and wives

'Husbands and wives'

— Ephesians 5:22-23

Today there is a great emphasis upon what is called freedom and liberation. Everyone wants to have his rights. Another way of phrasing it would be that everyone wants to have his way. Perhaps a word in season is needed. The spirit of this generation is contrary to the spirit of Christ. The worldling asserts his rights. The believer submits to the rights of others. The one place where the truthfulness or hypocrisy of our faith will be known is in the home.

It is the privilege and responsibility of a Christian wife to submit to her own husband. ‘Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.’ Wife, God has graciously given you a husband to love you and provide for you. He has given you a head, to whom you should delightfully submit. I trust that your husband loves Christ and his gospel. If so, I know that he loves you. He seeks only your good. Is it not reasonable that you should submit to him? His position is not that of a tyrant! But he is as much your head as Christ is the Head of the church. See to it then that you reverence and obey your husband, ‘even as Sara obeyed Abraham calling him lord’. You may mark it down, any woman who is not in subjection to her husband is not in subjection to Christ.

Now, husband, if you desire the reverence and obedience of your wife, you must win it, just as Christ has won your reverence and obedience. Husbands must love their wives into subjection. ‘Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.’ It is true, you must assume your position as the head of your home. But if you would have your wife to reverence you in. her heart, you must win that reverence. You must love her, provide for her, protect her and tenderly nourish and cherish her. Give yourself for her good, even as Christ gave himself for your eternal good. It is not commanded that you should be willing to die for her, though that may be included. But you must give yourself for her.

It is easy for a woman to reverence a man who loves her and it is easy for a man to love a woman who reverences him.