Ephesians: His Glorious RichesSample

Paul turns from the way we live in the world to the way we live in the home. The immediate context reminds us that we need to be filled with the Holy Spirt if we are to create godly homes (vv. 18–21). 

This section may raise painful personal issues. Some people long to be married but remain single. Others find marriage to be a painful experience. Still others may look back on a failed marriage. In this context we need to rest in the grace of God, remembering that God loves us because of His grace, not because of our goodness (3:17–19). 

Look at the end of the passage. In verse 31 Paul reminds us of God’s blueprint for marriage. It is not a human invention but a divine design (Gen. 2:20–24), confirmed by Jesus (Matt. 19:4–6). It tells us three things about marriage as God designed it. It is the primary relationship – a man leaves home and sets up a new family unit with his wife. It is a permanent relationship – the two are joined for life. It is a physical relationship – it is to be consummated, and sex between husband and wife is one of God’s good gifts. 

It is in this context that Paul describes the role of the wife and the husband. Remember that Paul has just told us that we are all supposed to submit to each other (5:20). Nevertheless, there are clearly different roles for men and women. The wife is to honour her husband and to submit to him (vv. 22–24). She is to affirm, receive and nurture his loving leadership. This is not an unconditional submission – the wife’s first calling is to obey God. If a husband wants his wife to sin, she must obey God rather than man. She must never surrender her conscience. 

The husband is to provide loving leadership, sacrificing his own pleasures and desires to promote his wife’s well-being (vv. 25–28). He is responsible for leading, providing for and protecting his wife. His model is Christ and his motive is obedience to God. When his wife is happy, he will be happy (vv. 28–30). 

Using the analogy of Christ and His church, which Paul uses here, we might pose two questions: Husband, do you love your wife enough to die for her? Wife, do you love your husband enough to live for him?

Reflection

Whatever your marital status might be, how does this passage affect you? 

How might you use the insights of this passage to shape the way in which you pray for single people and married people that you know?

What further insights does 1 Peter 3:1–7 give us?