Ephesians                           by Dr. Ralph Wilson

Lesson 13

Christian Husbands and Christian Wives (Ephesians 5:21-33)

Table of Household Duties:

• Wives to husbands (5:2-25)
• Husbands to wives (5:26-33)
• Children to parents (6:1-3)
• Fathers to children (6:4)
• Servants to masters (6:5-8)
• Masters to servants (6:9)

Submit Yourselves (Ephesians 5:21)

Headship (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Paul uses the Greek noun kephalē, "head," in a number of ways, some of which overlap:

1. Origin (Colossians 1:15, 17, 18; 1 Corinthians 11:3). The theme verse of Ephesians is, "to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ" (Ephesians 1:10). Christ is the beginning -- and the end, and all creation finds its right place in him. Unity is a strong undercurrent in this verse as well is throughout Ephesians. The idea of "one flesh" in Ephesians 5:31 is also related.
2. Source, Creator (Colossians 1:16). We derive our idea of "headwaters" from this concept.
3. Sustainer (Ephesians 4:16; 1:23; Colossians 1:17; 2:19).
4. Source of Growth (Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 2:19)
5. First in Rank (Colossians 1:18)
6. Ruler (Ephesians 1:20-22; Colossians 1:10). Our "headmaster" carries this idea.208

Submission "As to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22b)

Q50. (Ephesians 5:22-24) Why should a wife submit to her husband?

According to these verses, to what degree is a wife required to submit to a husband who is not a Christian or who is a carnal Christian?

Does submission mean a wife doesn't verbally disagree?

What if there's a conflict with the wife's conscience?
 

Husbands, Give Yourselves Up for Your Wives (Ephesians 5:25-30)

Serving the Imperfect Wife (Ephesians 5:26-27)

Q51. (Ephesians 5:25-30) Does being head of the wife involve being "boss"?

Why or why not?

What does being "head" require of a husband? What is the example husbands are to follow in headship?
 

One Flesh (Ephesians 5:28-32)

Q52. (Ephesians 5:28) In what sense is a husband's care for his wife's needs just common sense in taking care of his own needs?

What is the principle from Genesis 2:24 that underlies this?
 

The Marriage of Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:32)

Pulling It All Together (Ephesians 5:33)

Moving Toward the Ideal

Q53. (Ephesians 5:32) In what sense is Christ our Husband as individuals?

As a church?

What are the implications of this for our lives?

What does this say about Christ's responsibilities towards us?
 

Prayer

Father, we fall so short of this ideal of Christian marriage. Please help us to develop a heart of love so that this can work in our lives and in our marriages. Teach us to submit. Teach us to give of ourselves sacrificially. And forgive us when we fail. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Key Verses

(Ephesians 5:22) "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord."

(Ephesians 5:25)"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

(Ephesians 5:25) "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."