Recap: Last week, we saw that Peter wrote to instruct married couples by giving them very practical points. Wives are to submit, or be subject to the authority of their husband and by their pure and respectful behavior they would even be able to win an unbelieving husband to the Lord without a word. She is to be adorned by a "gentle and quiet" (or an undisturbed and unagitated) spirit. Likewise, husbands are to make a lifelong study of their wives learning all about her and give her honour and value. By this, their prayers will not be hindered. We all are to have compassion and a tender heart toward each other, paying back evil deeds or hurtful words by extending a blessing instead. This week, Paul teaches married couples their duties by comparing our relationship to the Lord with attitudes expected of the husband and the wife.
Understanding:
Ephesians 5:21-33
What is the main teaching of this section?
Why is it significant that this section begins with an appeal for submission of all believers to one another?
Some versions use "fear of God" and some "fear of Christ" in verse 21. Does this make a difference?
How is the wife is to be subject to her own husband? (ATT) Does this help you to submit?
What are ways that Christ is a saviour to His body?
The wife is to be subject to her husband "in everything." How does this express itself?
How is the husband instructed to love his wife? How does giving himself up for her show up in daily life?
How can the husband wash his wife with the word? The word used here by Paul is rhema - a word rightly spoken, the "now" word of God
How will Christ present the church to Himself?
To "nourish" and "cherish" mean to "nurture and take resposibility of" and to "care for needs." In what ways can this be performed by the husband?
Why is Genesis 2:24, quoted by Paul as verse 31, a "mystery" (something previously hidden now revealed)
Reflection:
* How does submission to one another please the Lord? Why is being under authority so right to Him? How are those in authority to act, however? How does the Lord act to us as head of the body and our chief authority?
* The Lord is working with all believers on the process of sanctification - purifying and cleansing His body and using the members for service. This is part of the expression of His love for the body that this section of Ephesians is laying out for us. Yet husbands are called to love their wives in the same way (vs. 28). How can the husband be part of the sanctification process being worked out in his wife? How does it effect himself? How are they partners with God in the sanctification process?
In what ways does the husband love himself by loving his wife?
How can the husband "love his wife as himself?" True confessions: how have we fallen short in loving our wife in this way?
How can the wife "see to it that she respects her husband?" True confessions: how have we fallen short of respecting our husband in this way?
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