Ephesians 5 - Submit to one another
Gregory Bishop
(Audio: English)
SUMMARY: The governing principle of Ephesians 5:22 is to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. The Apostle Paul provides three examples of how to apply this principle in different areas of life: the family, parents and children, and slaves and masters. For husbands and wives, Paul instructs wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, and husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church. While the word "submit" is not used for husbands, the concept is still present as men must submit their natural impulses and tendencies to love their wives as Christ loved the church. This treatment of women was revolutionary for the first century, as women had no legal rights and were the property of their husbands.
The speaker discusses the historical context of the Bible's teachings on marriage and the roles of men and women within it. He acknowledges the oppressive treatment of women in many cultures throughout history, but emphasizes that the teachings in the Bible call for a complementary relationship between men and women based on mutual respect and love. He discusses the concept of submission, arguing that it is not a tool of oppression but rather a way for women to access their power and dignity. He also calls on men to treat their wives with the same self-sacrificial love that Jesus showed to the church. Overall, he sees the Bible's teachings on marriage as a way to bring out the full potential of both men and women in their relationships.
The position of head of the home is not a position of privilege, but rather a position of responsibility. Men should lead their homes as Christ did, by serving their families and delegating power and function to them. A godly leader will let his wife take those parts of the marriage and home that she is strong in and will help her develop that. Men should be gentle leaders, serving their families and giving up their own prerogatives for others. By doing so, they enter into the mystery of Christ and great authority comes to them. Women should accept the mystery of man and woman in a marriage relationship and find a man who will be able to love them. Marriages should be havens of mutual submission and mutual love.
The speaker discusses the historical context of the Bible's teachings on marriage and the roles of men and women within it. He acknowledges the oppressive treatment of women in many cultures throughout history, but emphasizes that the teachings in the Bible call for a complementary relationship between men and women based on mutual respect and love. He discusses the concept of submission, arguing that it is not a tool of oppression but rather a way for women to access their power and dignity. He also calls on men to treat their wives with the same self-sacrificial love that Jesus showed to the church. Overall, he sees the Bible's teachings on marriage as a way to bring out the full potential of both men and women in their relationships.
The position of head of the home is not a position of privilege, but rather a position of responsibility. Men should lead their homes as Christ did, by serving their families and delegating power and function to them. A godly leader will let his wife take those parts of the marriage and home that she is strong in and will help her develop that. Men should be gentle leaders, serving their families and giving up their own prerogatives for others. By doing so, they enter into the mystery of Christ and great authority comes to them. Women should accept the mystery of man and woman in a marriage relationship and find a man who will be able to love them. Marriages should be havens of mutual submission and mutual love.
We’re nearing the end of our study of Ephesians and we are ending chapter 5 with a few verses on 5:22, Ephesians.
Actually we should read verse 21 because even though there’s a division here, as we well know, the Bible was not written originally, these letters were not written originally in verses and chapters. This was a convenience that was provided centuries later for the benefit of God’s people when they met collectively to be able to refer to the same things and know what they were referring to, breaking up the whole mass of scripture into organized segments. But really, most people would agree that verse 21, even though it is often left as part of the previous portion, and it is definitely also a part of the previous portion, but it also belongs to the following portion. And it says in verse 21:
Actually we should read verse 21 because even though there’s a division here, as we well know, the Bible was not written originally, these letters were not written originally in verses and chapters. This was a convenience that was provided centuries later for the benefit of God’s people when they met collectively to be able to refer to the same things and know what they were referring to, breaking up the whole mass of scripture into organized segments. But really, most people would agree that verse 21, even though it is often left as part of the previous portion, and it is definitely also a part of the previous portion, but it also belongs to the following portion. And it says in verse 21:
