Torch, Summer 2001

love are closely related concepts. The entire passage, which deals with the spectrum of Christian relationships, is prefaced with the command to submit to one another. The Word of God teaches that all of us are to submit to church leaders, authority figures in the workplace, and all in leadership roles. This passage, though, is targeted at married couples. It is interesting as you study the entire Please don’t set this article aside because you think you’ve either heard or read this all before. You may have, but it is still fact that God’s first command to wives in this text is to be submissive. In these instructions from God to wives via the apostle Paul, the text says, “Wives, submit to your husbands.” There are several things that we must underscore as we process this text. To understand the concept properly, we must emphasize that submission and W hat does God have to say to today’s wives? And, is it any different than what He has to say to today’s husbands? I want to be very clear: there are differences in gender. Don’t ever make the mistake of allowing the culture to convince you that somehow the two distinct, God-designed genders are the same. There are many biblical references that teach that they are not, but the classic treatment of the subject in Ephesians 5 is authoritative and unambiguous. 6 TORCH / Summer 2001 Continued on page 8 The Submissive Spouse S 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. Ephesians 5:21-24