The Gospel in Marriage

READ (EPHESIANS 5:22-33)

The book of Ephesians is about the gospel of Jesus.

Spiritual blessings, grace through faith, unity in faith, the mystery revealed, unity in the body of Christ, and changes in our behavior.

Paul ends his epistle dealing with two practical concerns.

Relationships in marriage, children, and our work.

Learning to be equiped in spiritual warfare.

V. 21 links 5:1-20 and 5:22-6:20

Authority and Submission

“submitting to one another out of reverance for Christ.”

Before we talk about Paul’s meaning, we need to deal with the obvious.

We can all agree that women in many cultures have been exploited, children have been mistreated, and workers squashed by their employers.

The values that Paul believed:

The dignity of women, children, and servanthood.

All are equal in the eyes of God.

There is unity in ministry of the church.

Submission and authority is not tyranny.

God is a God of order. He allows for roles of authority and leadership.

“Equality of worth is not identity of role.” - J.H. Yoder

Submission recognizes God’s ordering of society.

Authority is not unlimited. When authorities misuse their responsibility, we are not told to unconsciously submit.

“I will follow you as my pastor until you ask me to do something immoral or illegal.” - Rick

Submission to authority is freedom to live as God intended.

Joyful Submission

For fuller examples, see 1 Cor. 11:3-12. and 1 Tim 2:11-13.

By submitting to husbands, wives submit to God.

Order - Woman was made after man. Man is born from woman. Men and women are dependent upon one another.

This is creationism, not chauvinism.

The church is freed from distortion of relation.

Headship - Given by God. Wife is to find herself and her role not in rebellion, but voluntarily in submission.

Jews saw women and children as less.

Greek husbands expected wives to run their home, care for children, but found companionship elsewhere.

Without order, home and family life become extinct.

Headship expresses care rather than control. Responsibility instead of rule. Savior-hood over Lordship.

Biblical submission stems from a grateful acceptance of loving care.

Loving Service

How did Christ commit himself to the church?

He loved, gave himself up, cleansed, and presented her.

He did not crush the church. He gave everything so she could be who she was meant to be.

The authority of the husband is one of loving responsibility.

Headship does imply leadership, but leadership that sacrifices. Power to care and not dominate.

How did this work in Ephesus?

The men treated their wives better than the other husbands of the city.

“One flesh” - Two become one. One body. From Gen. 2:24.

“We are, all of us, utterly committed and deeply devoted to our ‘style,’ our ‘way,’ our ‘approach to life.’ We have absolutely no intention of giving it up. Not even for love. God creates and environment where we have to. It’s call marriage.” - John Elderage

Biblical submission under loving service is how we learn to become like Jesus.