I spent the morning studying Ephesians 5:22-24. This portion of the Scriptures is famously and continuously abused, perverted and contorted to fit an improper definition of the role of wives submitting to husbands.
vs. 22-24 – For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
Here’s a piece of great insight on this scripture from an online study tool I found recently:
The word “submit” is often misinterpreted. This usage in the original context describes two people who are absolutely equal in God’s eyes. There is no inferiority of one to the other. The wife makes a choice to place herself as an equal underneath another equal, her husband, in order that there can be order and function in the family.
The whole purpose of it is so that it meets the design that God has ordered. It takes nothing from the dignity of a woman for her to submit, but rather it enhances it. It takes great integrity for a person to do what God says should be done.
I find great responsibility and opportunity to serve as I read this Scripture. Any man who takes this Scripture and uses it for his own gain or position is grossly misinterpreting his role as a husband.
It helps to remember the model of Christ. As husbands, we are to love our wives as Christ loved the church. As he served the church. As he gave his life for the church. My role is not to rule my wife with a heavy hand. My role is to serve, love and give my life for her.
I find great joy in knowing that I have also been given the amazing opportunity to identify with Christ as I properly embrace my role as a Godly husband.
In the famous words of Dwayne Johnson (The Rock): know your role.
