Today’s passage: Ephesians 5:22-24
Helpful thoughts:
- Husbands, don’t forget to keep reading… Verse 25 (Tomorrow) is coming. Husbands, love your wives by becoming more and more like Jesus. These verses do not condone chauvinism, and the next passage will command ultimate chivalry.
- The curse (Genesis 3:16) and sin make this command very hard to accept. Obeying this command (As well as all other commands) is an act of faith. No husband on the face of the earth is as good of a man as Jesus. But, hard is not bad and it simply cannot excuse disobedience.
- When any leadership is attempting to coerce sin against God, we obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). It is not wrong to get help in any abusive situation! Preventing an abusive husband from sinning again is also loving toward him.
- This command is not culturally universal (All men and all women). It’s relational (Husband and wife).
- Wives, you are commanded to follow your own husband. Not anyone else’s.
- Husbands, this means you are to lovingly lead your own wife. Not every other woman.
Questions to consider:
- What are some of the hardest words in these verses? (e.g. What does it mean for wives to submit to their husbands in “everything”?)
- How would honest and humble reflection help husbands to dwell with their wives in an understanding way (1 Peter 3:7)? How does the idea of progressive sanctification help temper your expectations?
- If you are single and desire to be married one day, how should these truths and commands from Scripture guide your desire for a potential spouse? What qualities should you be looking for? What qualities should you be growing in for their future benefit?