Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.… I. JESUS IS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH. 1. But observe, He is also her governing Head. He has the sole guidance, and direction, and control of her. 2. But He is also her protecting Head. II. THE SUBMISSION WHICH THE CHURCH IS ENJOINED TO GIVE TO HER HEAD, IS THE PATTERN OF THE SUBJECTION WHICH CHRISTIAN WIVES ARE COMMANDED TO GIVE THEIR HUSBANDS. But what is the nature of the subjection? I know it has its basis in affection; but yet it goes beyond that; it has its basis in the principle of allegiance. The Church owes Christ its allegiance. He is her rightful Lord. 2. But observe, it is the submission of dependency. The Church is essentially dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ. Here, then, is the true principle of that subjection, that submission which the Lord enjoins on every Christian wife: to rely upon, and to confide in, the power, wisdom, and love of her husband. To receive from him that which supplies her family with all things needful; and to receive it meekly from him too. To seek her happiness in his smile and in his presence; and to mourn for his absence, and to long for his appearing. To go to him for counsel in difficulties; to give up her own pleasures, and yield up her own will. III. THE EXTENT AND LIMIT OF THIS SUBJECTION — "In everything." Not in some things, but in all things; "in everything." Some of you may say, beloved sisters in Jesus — "In things pleasant I find it not difficult." Yes, but in things painful. Some of you may say, "In great things I would yield." Yes, but subjection in little things; in little things; in "everything." You may say, "When we are alone together, I dare not refuse; but suppose it is in public, then my will goes another way." In public you are commanded to submit. "Yes," but you may say, "in things that relate to himself of course I submit; but in things that relate to myself, of course I may act for myself." For yourself? "In everything," even as regards yourselves. Yet there is a limit. Is there not a limit? Yes, blessed be God, there is a limit in the very text before us. Observe the twenty-second verse: "as unto the Lord"; no further. Act up to it, but go not beyond it. (J. H. Evans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.WEB: Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. |
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