- This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 20 years, 10 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Why should wives be submissive to their husbands?
Ephesians 5:22-33–Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and he is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
1 Peter 3:1-4 Wives, likewise , be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward- arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
***Fear; (meaning reverent or respectful.)
Being submissive to your husband is not hard to do if they are Christian, because they will treat you with unconditional love and respect as if they were doing it for the Lord. In return you should return the same love and respect. It is love from the heart. Wanting what is best for each other. Sharing and caring in all things. There can be trying times in a relationship, prayer is the best remedy. Remember : A soft answer turns away wrath. But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
If husbands have not obeyed God’s teachings they will be persuaded to believe by the way their Christian wives behave. By using a gentle and quiet spirit and showing an example of how to live with respect to God. In no way is submissiveness to relate to slavery, or bondage. Ladies should deal with unbelieving husbands only if violence is not a factor. That encludes mental abuse as well. Ladies should never feel they should be a doormat for anyone. How great it is when it all falls into place, and each person does God’s will in their own lives, And love abounds.
There has been quite a bit of controversey regarding this topic. Many people (women, especially) see this as a shameful practice. They believe that marriage is supposed to be a partnership, and in many ways it is. What the scripture is trying to say is that the role of a wife is one of love and support of her husband and her family. Many women see the word “submissive” and assume that this means they are meant to be slaves to their husbands. This is simply not true. As Carol wrote, husbands have a duty to be kind and loyal to their wives (Proverbs 5:18-23) and to be giving, nurturing and respectful (1 Corinthians 7:1-16). Submissive does not equal slavery. It means to be supportive, to love unconditionally and to honor the vows of marriage.
Those are thoughts on the matter that I have developed after years of hearing this being debated by several preachers and greatly gifted Christians. It would be nice to hear other people’s thoughts on this!
–Jimmy
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.