The Marriage Relationship (Part 1)
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Understanding The Ephesians 5 Passage
Understanding The Ephesians 5 Passage
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” (Ephesians 5:21–26, KJV 1900)
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21, KJV 1900)
The phrase “submitting yourselves” comes from the Greek word “hypotassomenoi.” It means to be submissive, inclined, or willing to submit to the orders or wishes of others or to show such inclination. The Greek root word is “hupotasso, " a military term meaning “to rank under.” This verse instructs each of us, as believers, to submit or be willing to submit to other believers' wishes. Furthermore, it teaches us to do so in the “fear of God.” The word “fear” has the idea of reverential fear in the sense that we profoundly respect God as a holy and mighty God.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22, KJV 1900)
The Holy Spirit continues this thought in this verse by addressing wives. A wife, as the Bible defines it, is a married woman who is a man’s helpmeet. Thus, a wife is to “submit” to their OWN husband. Again, “submit” is another form of the same root word as found in verse 21. It is defined as making subservient or submitting to another. And, once again, the Holy Spirit teaches wives to do so as unto the Lord. In other words, if you genuinely desire to please the Lord by submitting to His authority, you must see your submission to your husband as the leader of your marriage and home in the same vein.
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Ephesians 5:23, KJV 1900)
In this verse, the Holy Spirit clarifies the husband’s role within marriage. Let me state that this is God’s instruction and expectation, not man’s. God sees men as the “head.” In Greek, the word “head” is “kephale.” It is defined literally as the actual head of a human being or animal. However, it is often used figuratively in many different ways. For example, in Romans 12:20, we have the idea of heaping coals of fire on someone’s “head.” We know, of course, that the Holy Spirit is not suggesting that we place a heaping mound of burning coals on someone’s head. Thus, it is a figurative understanding. Similarly, the Holy Spirit’s use of this word in our text is also metaphorical. We understand that the Holy Spirit uses it metaphorically for the person who is in charge, the leader. Consequently, God sees each husband as the spiritual leader of his marriage and family. And, to solidify the sober nature of such leadership, He likens this leadership role to the one that Christ Himself holds over the local church.
The second part of this verse is one that many often do not discuss, but I think it is just as vital to understand. It says, “and he is the savior of the body.” Too many relate this second phrase to Christ. However, I have concluded that it does not refer to Christ but rather to the second role of the husband. The word “savior” is someone who rescues something from danger or violence. It is not only the responsibility of the husband to lead but also to defend or rescue his wife and family from anything that would potentially harm them physically and spiritually. For this reason, this verse becomes more about the husband’s roles and responsibilities than it does about the wife’s submission. Both husband and wife must understand how much responsibility God places on the husband. If they do, then it becomes evident that God expects a submissive wife who understands the weight God has placed on her husband and wishes to help her husband bear that weight by submissively following his leadership. By the way, Christ shoulders the same responsibilities for each local church.
“Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” (Ephesians 5:24, KJV 1900)
The Holy Spirit continues with some additional instruction. Therefore, now that each understands the role and responsibilities of the husband to lead and protect, wives are instructed once again to “subject” themselves to their husbands. Note that they are to do so as each believer within the local church does so to Christ. One crucial point is that Christ is at the top of all leadership. Within the local church, there is a hierarchy of leadership. From top to bottom is Christ, then pastors, then deacons, followed by church members. Within the family, there is a similar hierarchy. From top to bottom is Christ, then husbands, then wives, followed by children. Returning to the word “subject,” we find that it is the same Greek word as noted in verses 21 and 22. In those verses, we have the phrases “submitting” and “submit.” All share the same root word meaning: "place or arrange under in a military way.” The Holy Spirit then quantifies a wife’s submission. Note that He finishes this verse with “in everything.” In the Greek, this means entirely or completely.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (Ephesians 5:25, KJV 1900)
The Holy Spirit now turns His full attention to the husbands. Husbands are to “love” their wives. “Love” is the same Greek word used in many verses, such as John 3:16. It is the Greek word “agape.” In the context of Scripture, this word is often associated with the type of love by which one would sacrifice one's life for someone due to their overwhelming affection. Thus, husbands are to sacrificially love their wives in the same manner that Christ loved the local church. To better understand that statement, we must consider the makeup of the local church. Local churches are locally called-out assemblies of believers. In other words, each local church member believes that Christ came to earth, went to the cross to pay the price for their sin and that He arose again, conquering death and sin. As such, He is their personal Savior who gave himself for them. Now, because of His love, they love Him by sacrificially living in obedience to His commands. In the same way, a husband loves his wife by sacrificially giving himself to her.
“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33, KJV 1900)
In this last verse, the Holy Spirit reiterates His instructions. Husbands, “so love” your wives even as you already love yourself (Note verses 28 and 29). Wives, “reverence” your husband. The word “love” here remains the same. It is agape love or sacrificial love. However, the word “reverence” is changed. It is no longer “submit.” Now, the Holy Spirit uses the same word that He used earlier in verse 21. Remember that we are told to submit to one another in the “fear” of the Lord. “Fear” and “reverence” are the same Greek word. Again, we are talking about feelings of respect and reverence.
Now, to better understand the fear of the Lord, let me give you this. Whenever Scripture speaks about the “fear of the Lord,” it presents two different aspects. On one side, the fear of the Lord indicates a terror of God, a fear of what He can do and who He truly is. Israel experienced the same fear when God revealed Himself to them at Mt. Sinai. They were so terrified of His presence that they pleaded with Moses to be the middleman so they would not experience that amount of terror again. On the other side, there is the fear of the Lord for those who have placed their faith in Him. Such fear is not terror or dread; rather, it is a reverent submission that leads to obedience. Both sides are necessary in our relationship with God. We should be afraid of His might and power. However, when we know Him as He truly is, we find that this fear of His holy justice turns into an incredible reverence for His divine love. Instead of hiding from Him because of our sins, we embrace serving Him, knowing He paid for our sins. It is this second side of fearing the Lord that He instructs wives to have toward their husbands. As the husband loves his wife sacrificially in the same manner Christ did for the local church, the wive, in turn, submits and honors her husband, responding to his love, knowing that he, the husband, will willingly lead and protect her.
Establishing Biblical Principles Concerning Marriage
Establishing Biblical Principles Concerning Marriage
God intends and expects marriage to be a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman, based on principles of Biblical love. The relationship between Jesus Christ and the local church is the supreme example of the committed love that a husband and wife are to follow in their relationship with each other.
This is based on the following Scripture passages.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, Against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: Yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
God’s View on Marriage
God’s View on Marriage
Marriage is not social convenience nor simply an invention of living together. It is ordained by God Himself to be a covenant of companionship and mutual complement.
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
I already read the passages above from Malachi and Matthew.
Here is one more.
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
Marriage is meant to keep you set apart in your physical relationship for one another.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
God also designed marriage for unity and one-flesh permanency.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Thus, when marriage is done God’s way it reflects the loving relationship between Christ and the local church.
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Our Hope Concerning Our Marriage
Our Hope Concerning Our Marriage
If you are married, God’s Word instructs us to love our spouse.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
If you are believer in Jesus Christ, we have already been enabled to do so - love our spouse.
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Even if our spouse never practices Biblical love, we can still be at peace and can do our part to foster harmony in our marriage and home.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
We must remember that we are not responsible to change others, including our spouse, but are responsible to evaluate ourselves continually in a Biblical manner.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
As you continue to be a Biblical servant and be a blessing to your spouse, you can be assured that God will work all things for good in your relationship with your spouse. No one, not even an unbelieving or unloving or rebellious spouse, can prevent God’s work in that relationship.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
The Biblical Model for Marriage
The Biblical Model for Marriage
While there are only a few passages in God’s Word that specifically address the marriage relationship, they provide all that is necessary to understand God’s exalted view of marriage.
God Has Ordained Marriage
God Has Ordained Marriage
When you marry, you commit yourself in a covenant before God for a lifetime of companionship with your spouse.
6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Your commitment to companionship is designed to provide for mutual help and to unify you and your marriage partner in every aspect of life. Note again verse 8 of the previous passage.
8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Your marriage commitment is sovereignly ordained and established by God and should never be dissolved.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favour of the Lord.
9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Only the sinfulness and corresponding hardness of heart in a marriage partner can lead to breaking the covenant relationship of marriage.
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Your marriage relationship with your spouse is to be patterned after the relationship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the local church. We already covered that ground in Ephesians 5.
God Has Established the Character of Marriage
God Has Established the Character of Marriage
Biblical love for your spouse is to be based on God’s love for you and must be practiced out of a desire to please the Lord.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
Marriage is to be a one-flesh relationship, not only physically but also in mind and purpose.
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
In God’s sight, marriage partners are equal in value, but have different responsibilities.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
As in all Biblically based relationships, marriage partners are to seek to have the same mind and judgment.
Therefore, all decisions must be based on the principles of God’s Word.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.
If your spouse is an unbeliever, do not lose hope when your spouse does not base decisions solely on the Word of God, since the natural (unbelieving) person cannot understand or accept the things of God. This is not an impossible situation if you seek God’s wisdom and continue to practice Christlike servanthood in your home.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
A believing spouse has the responsibility to present God’s truth to an unbelieving spouse in speech and actions that are Christ-honoring and Biblically submissive.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
While clear directives of Scripture are to be obeyed without compromise, preferring your spouse in matters of preference or opinion is the loving thing to do.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Marriage partners are to leave the parent-child relationship with their own respective parents in order to cleave (permanently bond) with one another.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Marriage is undefiled and is to be held in honor by all.
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Marriage is to be marked by the loving servanthood of marriage partners to one another according to Ephesians 5.
You are to serve your spouse lovingly, as a believer is to do in all relationships. 1 John 3:18 “18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
You are to seek to be a fit help to your spouse. Genesis 2:18 “18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
Jesus is the example of servanthood for you to follow in ministering to your spouse. Mark 10:43–45 “43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
God Has Made the Marriage Relationship Basic to Society
God Has Made the Marriage Relationship Basic to Society
Marriage is designed to give society stability in relationships and responsibilities. Genesis 1:28
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Marriage is designed to give the necessary stability to bearing and bringing up children.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
A Biblical marriage relationship is designed to be a criterion for the evaluation of the maturity and development of potential leaders in the local church.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Marriage is integral to the life of a local church.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
God Has Designed Some to Receive the Blessing of Remaining Single
God Has Designed Some to Receive the Blessing of Remaining Single
Those who are single have a great opportunity for ministry in the life of a church for they do not have the responsibilities or potential distractions of married people.
32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
God gives singleness as a gift to some. He desires those who are presently single to be content and to bless others with their time, material goods, and energy, making the most of every opportunity to serve.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Marital Conflicts - Man’s Way vs. God’s Way
Marital Conflicts - Man’s Way vs. God’s Way
Many conflicts in marriage result from living to please self instead of living to please the Lord. These conflicts can be resolved and are actually opportunities for spiritual growth when dealt with in a biblical manner (based on Matthew 5:3-16; Romans 5:3-5, 8:28-29; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10; Philippians 2:14-15, 3:12-14; James 1:2-4, 25; 3:16; 4:1-3; 5:16).
When living to please self, each spouse will blame the other for problems and difficulties even though both are sinning.
When living to please self, each spouse will blame the other for problems and difficulties even though both are sinning.
Genesis 3:12–13
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
James 4:1
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
When a husband and wife live to please themselves, they often try to solve marital conflicts man’s way by:
When a husband and wife live to please themselves, they often try to solve marital conflicts man’s way by:
Compromising Biblical principles to solve conflicts;
Seeking to find trade-offs and bargains in order to get their own way;
Basing decisions and actions on the world’s erroneous concept of having a good self-esteem or self-image;
Trying to find someone new “more compatible;”
Building a separate life with separate interests, even though continuing to live together;
Learning how to argue forcefully;
Seeking reasons to leave or threatening to do so;
Hoping for and seeking to find satisfaction with someone else or in another location;
Allowing their “feelings” or emotions to determine the course of their actions; or
Immersing themselves in work, children, travel, sports, alcohol, drugs, friends, ect.
God desires that problems in marriage be solved for the good of each spouse, as each seeks to please the Lord within the marriage relationship
God desires that problems in marriage be solved for the good of each spouse, as each seeks to please the Lord within the marriage relationship
(based on Psalm 19:7-11, 127:1; Proverbs 2:6, 3:5-6; Isaiah 55:8-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
God commands a believing spouse to love Him (Matthew 22:37-39) and to obey His Word (Luke 6:46-49; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6).
Out of a thankful response to God’s love through the Lord Jesus Christ, a believer can demonstrate love for his spouse in a Biblical manner (Matthew 22:37-39; 1 John 4:7-11, 18-21).
As a believer esteems his spouse as more important than himself (based on Ephesians 5:24-25; Philippians 2:3-4), he will face and deal with all difficulties in a manner that pleases the Lord (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 14:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:9, 14-15; 1 Peter 4:1-2). This leads to an increasing oneness of mind and purpose as both spouses receive encouragement from Jesus Christ (based on Philippians 2:1-2).
Spouses are to be drawing closer to God, especially during times of conflict.
Spouses are to be drawing closer to God, especially during times of conflict.
As both believing spouses individually draw closer to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Hebrews 4:14-16), the draw closer to each others (based on Ephesians 4:1-3; 5:1-2, 21-33).
Even when only one spouse draws closer to God, it is the best hope of drawing the other spouse to the Lord (based on Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Peter 3:1).
