Paul the
apostle gave “husbands” within the church of Ephesus a
directive to “love” their “wives”. They were to
do this as they did their
“own bodies”, and for this “cause shall a man leave
his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife”. This
would cause them to become “one flesh” which is a
“mystery” “concerning Christ and the church”. In
chapter five and verse thirty-three of his letter, Paul completed his
instructions to “husbands” and “wives” as he
repeated how “husbands” were to “love” their
“wives” and “wives” were to “reverence”
their “husbands”. We read:
Nevertheless
let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;
and the
wife see that she
reverence her
husband.
The
verse begins, “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular
so love his wife even as himself;” Paul began with the word
“nevertheless” which means “moreover, besides, but and
except” “let every one of you” which refers to “the
husbands within the church” “in particular” which means
“down from, throughout, according to, toward and along” “so
love” or “welcome, entertain, be fond of, be well pleased and
contented at or with” “his wife” which refers to “the
husband's woman who is betrothed or married” “even as”
or “like, even, about and since” “himself” which means
“the husband himself”. Paul reemphasized how “husbands”
were to “love” their “wives” in the same manner
as they “love” themselves.
The
verse goes on to say, “and the wife see
that she reverence her
husband.” Paul added, “and
the wife” which refers to “women who are
betrothed or married” “see that”
or “in order and so” “she reverence”
which means “venerate, treat with deference or reverential
obedience” “her husband”
which refers to “the man who is betrothed or married”. “Wives”,
according to Paul, are to “treat” their “husbands”
with deference and respectful obedience.
When
we meditate upon these words of Paul, we understand that these
directives are inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. God Almighty knows
what it takes for “harmony” and “unity” within the marriage,
and as each spouse fulfills his or her role, the Lord will keep the
marriage unified. Great responsibility is placed upon each spouse to
obey their command, and only by the help of Jesus Christ and the Holy
Spirit will they do this “as unto the Lord”.
Next
time we begin the last chapter of the letter to the Ephesians and see
Paul give directions to “children”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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