“Marriage And Women”
Ephesians 5:22-24, 33
Sermon Series: “Picture Perfect Family?”
Introduction: Last week we studied this same passage of Scripture, but we focused on the husband’s role. This week, we will focus on the commands that are given to wives.
As we look at the roles of the wife, let’s keep in mind that our goal should be to properly understand and then obediently act on the teaching of the Word of God. Part of what we will be examining is the command for women to submit to their husbands, and this is a very controversial idea today. It is denied by the world, disputed by the church, and distorted by people in general. However, a person questioning the concept does not change the truth of the teaching or the force of the command.
Main Idea-Wife’s Role In Marriage: A wife’s role is to love her husband (see Titus 2:4) by following his leadership (submission) and respecting him.
1. Wives are to submit to their husbands (v. 22-24).
The word, “submit,” carries a lot of negative baggage for a lot of people. There are a lot of misunderstandings regarding this teaching so let’s examine it in detail.
A. The Meaning of Submission-Let’s look, first, at what it does mean, and then we will look at some things that it does not mean. “Submit” is translated from the Greek word, hupotasso. It is a military term that means to “line yourself up under someone else’s authority.” It is in the middle voice in Greek, which means that it is an action that you do to yourself. In other words, it is not forced or coerced but done voluntarily by the wife out of obedience to God. However, as we talked about last week, husbands should strive to love and lead in such a way that it is easy for a wife to do. In essence, it means that the husband and wife are an equal team who work together, but the husband has been given leadership of
the team by God, and the wife is called to come alongside him and work together with. However, she is to follow his leadership.
B. What Submission Does Not Mean-It does not mean: -that women are to submit to men in general
-that there is also not a place for mutual submission
-that the wife is inferior in any way
-that the wife is less capable
-that the wife is to be a silent partner
-that the wife is a doormat who passively accepts mistreatment -that the wife is a slave
-that the wife is to be treated like a child
-that the wife’s personality is to be squelched
-that the wife is to treat her husband like God
C. The Spiritual Nature of Submission-This is ultimately a spiritual issue, between a woman and God. You cannot be in
fellowship with God and disobey these commands. Here are some of the ways this is a spiritual issue:
-Submission is ultimately an act of obedience and submission to the Lordship of Jesus.
-Submission is trusting God with your husband.
-Submission to biblical authority places you under the umbrella of God’s protection.
-Submission is following the example of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:3, Garden of Gethsemane).
-Submission to the Lord is the prerequisite for being able to submit to your husband. In other words, this flows out of your walk with the Lord.
2. Wives are to respect their husbands (v. 33).
This is a way for a woman to express love to a man. Dr. Dorothy Patterson has said, “A woman who does not treat her husband with respect is emasculating him.” Someone else has said, “Men have an ability to become what women encourage them to be instead of what they criticize them for not being.”
Book Referenced by Jimmy
For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
You can get it here
http://www.amazon.com/Women-Only-about-Inner- Lives/dp/1590523172
