THE MARRIAGE PARTNERSHIP

1. The Christian Husband

A. Authority

From Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:22–24 NKJV

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

Ephesians 6:1–3 NKJV

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

From Colossians:

Colossians 3:18 NKJV

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Colossians 3:20 NKJV

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

1. Head of the house.

2. Under God.

3. No authority for verbal, psychological, or physical abuse or mistreatment.

B. Responsibility.

1. To lead the family.

2. To provide for the family,

2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 NKJV

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

3. To love his wife

Ephesians 5:25–33 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

a. Give himself sacrificially.

b. Consider his wife’s needs and desires as much as his own.

c. Nourish and cherish his wife.

d. Love his wife as himself.

e. Not be harsh toward her.

Colossians 3:19 NKJV

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

f. Give honor to her.

1 Peter 3:7 NKJV

7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Proverbs 31:28 NKJV

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

4. To love his children.

Ephesians 6:4 AV

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

a. Nurture them. = Training (NKJV)

b. Admonish them in the Lord.

c. Discipline them in love,

Proverbs 13:24 NKJV

24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Proverbs 19:18 NKJV

18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

Proverbs 23:13 NKJV

13 Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.

Proverbs 29:17 NKJV

17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Apostolic Study Bible: King James Version: Notes Notes

23:13–14 These verses do not justify any kind of violence or child abuse. Physical discipline must never harm a child. These verses have in mind those who think there should never be an effort to correct a child. Most discipline can be accomplished without any physical encounter. Corporal efforts should be a last resort. (See Prov. 10:13; 13:24; 22:15.) God is our example for correction. An overview of this biblical theme indicates that when we need correction, God first appeals to our spirit by means of conviction, not condemnation. (See John 3:17; Heb. 12:9.) He corrects with His Word (Ps. 119:9). If we fail to heed God’s efforts to correct us by means of His Word and the Holy Spirit, He may chasten us physically, but He does not abuse us.

The NKJV Study Bible (Chapter 23)

23:13, 14 he will not die … beat him: This language was designed to motivate overly permissive parents, who were afraid of damaging young children with any kind of discipline, or of making rules and enforcing them. There is no call here for abuse. Loving discipline does not destroy rebellious children; it does them a big favor.

d. Not be harsh or provocative,

Colossians 3:21 NKJV

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

2. The Christian Wife

A. Submit to the husband’s leadership

Ephesians 5:22–24 NKJV

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

Ephesians 5:33 NKJV

33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Colossians 3:18 NKJV

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

B. Keeper of the home

Titus 2:4–5 NKJV

4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

(Prov 31:10-31)

1. Love husband

Titus 2:4 NKJV

4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

2. Love children, Titus 2:4.

3. Manage household affairs

Titus 2:5 NKJV

5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Proverbs 31:13–15 NKJV

13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

Proverbs 31:21–22 NKJV

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Proverbs 31:27 NKJV

27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

4. Contribute to the family’s economic stability

Proverbs 31:16 NKJV

16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.

Proverbs 31:18 NKJV

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

Proverbs 31:24 NKJV

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

5. Help and advise her husband

Genesis 2:18 NKJV

18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

Proverbs 31:12 NKJV

12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:23 NKJV

23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31:26 NKJV

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

6. Discipline and teach children, with husband

Proverbs 6:20 NKJV

20 My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.

Colossians 3:20 NKJV

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

3. Physical Relationship

A. Holiness, Hebrews 13:4.

1. The sexual relationship is sanctified in marriage.

2. Outside of marriage it is sinful, I Corinthians 6:13-20.

3. Twofold purpose.

a. Procreation.

b. Consummation, maintenance, and strengthening of union.

B. Mutual fulfillment

1 Corinthians 7:3–5 NKJV

3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1. Do not deprive one another.

2. Do not force one another to do anything considered degrading or impure.

C. Mutual joy, Proverbs 5:15-19; Song of Solomon.

D. The Act of Marriage by Tim and Beverly LaHaye.

E. Dating and courtship.

1. Colossians 3:5; I Thessalonians 4:3-5; Ephesians 5:11-12.

Colossians 3:5 NKJV

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 NKJV

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Ephesians 5:11–12 NKJV

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

2. Teens: group activities, double dating, begin dating at age 16, abide by curfew, go

slow on “going steady.”

3. Caution in physical contact before marriage.

a. Don’t act in lust.

b. Don’t hold hands, hug, kiss in initial stages of dating.

c. Don’t go further than that until marriage.