A Revolutionary Idea

Ephesians 5:31-33

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Eph. 5:33)

 

A LOT OF OXYGEN, PAPER, AND INK have been wasted over what Paul thought about the relationship of wives and husbands. What gets less attention are these questions: Where in the Bible does it say a wife is to love her husband? Where does it say a husband is to force his wife into submission? Nowhere is the answer to both questions. What Paul does say herethree times is that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church. How did Christ love the church? He died for it. Furthermore, Paul says that a man should leave all that is dear and familiar to begin a new life with his wife, loving her as much as he loves himself. A husband loves his wife because she is part of him; he is not whole without her. It is possible that throughout time, more marriages have been arranged for economic or political advantage than because anybody loved anybody else. Paul's idea, that love should be the basis of a marital relationship, was downright revolutionary. It puts a tremendous responsibility on the husband. He is the leader, not because he is superior but because he is under divine directive to love, protect, and cherish. What woman treated by her husband in such a manner would not respond with respect, and probably with love?

 

Martha Evans Sparks

 

I will bring Christ's self-sacrificing love to my relationship with others.