These verses of Scripture from St. Paul are commonly used in Christian marriage ceremonies. They speak of the relationship between Christ and the Church in terms of the relationship between a husband and his wife. As beautiful as they are, they are also very misunderstood and misinterpreted. Look closely and see their wisdom for your marriage.
In Eph 5:21 to 33 Paul writes,
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
"In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church- for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
There are four important points here. First, Christ loves us so much that He wants to marry us, He calls us His Bride, and He uses marriage as a picture of His relationship to the Church, and to each of us as his followers.
Second, there is the "S" word. Submission. Submission does not imply INFERIORITY. God made Eve out of the side of Adam, to be bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh - his equal - his companion. To say that submission somehow implies inferiority is to say that Jesus, when he submitted to the Father, was somehow inferior to the Father. Submission does not imply inferiority in any way. It is a voluntary reliance on another. In fact, the Apostle Paul says that we are all to submit to each other. Wives to submits to husbands, husbands to wives, both to Christ.
Third, husbands are to be the leaders of the family, the Pastors in the home. And men are to love their wives as Christ loves the church, and even died for it.
And finally, just as Jesus is preparing his bride, the Church, for the day when she will be presented in Heaven without spot or wrinkle, so husbands, as leader, are to prepare your wives to stand before God one day. Always remember that leadership in the home is primarily a spiritual responsibility.
May God richly bless your marriage.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
detailed home cleaning Glenview ..My husband had two affairs last year. I am pretty... Read More
There's no way to absolutely guarantee that your marriage won't... Read More
When two people - destined for each other, come together,... Read More
The invitation is the first impression of the type of... Read More
The job of choosing the right wedding cake style is... Read More
You hear them at champagne-flowing parties. You hear them in... Read More
Perhaps the single most important thing that must be accomplished... Read More
Well you may not become a billionaire or even a... Read More
The term and role "Maid of Honor" is sometimes confusing,... Read More
These guidelines will help you avoid the three most common... Read More
It's safe to say that of all the important events... Read More
Is it to be a summer wedding or winter wedding?... Read More
When it comes to consideration for the right wedding favor,... Read More
There are many answers to this question, it all depends... Read More
Getting Married? Congratulations! You just set the date for the... Read More
The big day is fast approaching, and the energy of... Read More
The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and... Read More
Wedding catering has always been one of the most crucial... Read More
He ? or she ? asked, and you answered in... Read More
A woman once visited a counselor to ask a question... Read More
It really doesn't matter if you are planning to have... Read More
In my opinion, these things matter...1. Valuing commitment over instant... Read More
While you may be headed to Las Vegas for a... Read More
Jealousy has often been called the "green-eyed monster," and with... Read More
Marriage and Attraction: Relation is successful as long as there... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..Depending on your personal preferences and the preferences of your... Read More
Did your wonderful husband-to-be recently "pop the question" and now... Read More
A dynamic that prevents real connection in a relationship is... Read More
This is something that we've started to send to all... Read More
What about this business of food for lovers? Is it... Read More
As you reach 30 and beyond, you encounter a very... Read More
Games for a wedding shower are the best ways to... Read More
Ever since Queen Victoria wed in 1840, however, white has... Read More
Wedding photography is an evolving field that requires artistic talent,... Read More
How much should you spend on a diamond engagement ring?$100?$1000?How... Read More
According to a survey conducted in 2003 by Bride's magazine,... Read More
With today's economy, and the layoffs occurring as a result... Read More
There is an overwhelming demand for high quality, custom stationery... Read More
Candles, rose petals, satin, succulent foods, perfume-you're probably already familiar... Read More
Wedding ceremonies are the stuff fairy tales are made of.... Read More
Make your upcoming event the most memorable ever by adding... Read More
"Til death do us part" is still the language used... Read More
When you're married, the boundaries between yourself and your spouse... Read More
In the last article, we concluded by saying that keeping... Read More
From purchasing the garter to choosing the photographer, brides (and... Read More
Getting the wedding tables right can make a big difference... Read More
Remember the frenzy of the paparazzi when they caught Sarah... Read More
So your not one of those fabulous actresses or models... Read More
Deik and Kim, remember that marriage is a COVENANT relationship.... Read More
As Mark Twain said "Let us not be too particular;... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |