SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 5:33

Reflections Of His Grace”

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

 

The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)

Eph 5:22-33 KJV

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.   For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

 

This devotional, continues to look at the second main division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.

In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.

1. The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
2. The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
3. The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
4. The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
5. The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
6. The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
7. The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
8. The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)

The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of RELATIONSHIPS (5:22-33). For those who are called to be married, there is no greater earthly relationship that can be enjoyed. Within a Godly marriage love, harmony, unity of heart and mind, and unconditional support are constants that only enhance our relationship with Christ.

Keeping all this in mind, let’s turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:

I.        The Marriage Relationship – The Wife’s Responsibility (vs 22-24)
II.        The Marriage Relationship – The Husband’s Responsibility (vs 25-29)
III.        The Marriage Relationship – An Example Of Christ’s Great Love (vs 30–33)

FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY IN THE MARITAL COVENANT PLEASE REFER TO:

https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/marriage-divorce-and-remarriage-1-the-marriage-covenant/

 

EXPOSITION:

Paul now summarizes his teachings on the husband wife relationship…

(Ephesians 5:33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 

To have a marriage that aligns itself with the Lord’s desires, both the husband and the wife must be faithful to their God-given responsibility…

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; 

Unconditional, self-sacrificial love is the key element for the husband’s proper care of his wife. It is from a heart of love that a wife is properly cared for within the confines of the marital covenant.

 

and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

The wife is to place herself willingly under her loving husband’s authority realizing:
1. he loves her and is constantly looking out for her wellbeing.
2. he is being held directly accountable to God for all the members of his family.

 

These dual responsibilities are presented several times in the New Testament…

 

1Pe 3:6-7 KJV – “Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

Col 3:18-19 KJV – “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”

 

So based upon the Word of God, we need to understand the importance of BOTH being present in the marital relationship.

 

Submission on the part of the wife is almost impossible if the husband does not love her nor seek to care for her properly.

Likewise, for a husband to constantly attempt to work on his wife’s behalf and then face opposition from her at every turn can only lead to bitterness and resentment towards her.

 

 

APPLICATION:

May we be thankful to the Lord for His great grace in giving us our spouses. Out of hearts of appreciation may we seek to possess Godly marriages, arranged in a way that pleases Him, so that He might be glorified through our testimony in the lives of others.

May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more! 

 

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