Now Paul turns to various daily relationships, starting with those between a husband and wife. These are not a set of random instructions merely reflecting the social rules of the time, for they are all a consequence of our relationship with Christ. Moreover, they are to reflect that relationship to the world.
The overriding principle is stated in verse 21, "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ". Because we honour Christ we are to submit to one another. Every human being is of value. We know that Christ died for us, He died for our sins. Without Him we were totally unworthy, but He considered us worth dying for. Therefore we should respect everyone else.
Wives should submit to their husbands. This immediately raises the hackles of many, but it should not. Later we will see that husbands are to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their wives, but a few general points are worth making first. In God's kingdom authority does not imply superiority. If you have authority over someone it does not mean you are better than they are, it is just a duty you have towards them. Moreover authority is never to be used for your own ends. Authority is given to you by someone else so that a purpose can be achieved. A policeman is given authority by the state not to achieve his own ends, but to ensure the smooth operation of law and order.
Submission is a reflection of submission to the Lord. The husband is placed as head of the household. He is given this position not to get his own way, but to ensure the family functions in the way God intends it to.
The overriding principle is stated in verse 21, "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ". Because we honour Christ we are to submit to one another. Every human being is of value. We know that Christ died for us, He died for our sins. Without Him we were totally unworthy, but He considered us worth dying for. Therefore we should respect everyone else.
Wives should submit to their husbands. This immediately raises the hackles of many, but it should not. Later we will see that husbands are to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their wives, but a few general points are worth making first. In God's kingdom authority does not imply superiority. If you have authority over someone it does not mean you are better than they are, it is just a duty you have towards them. Moreover authority is never to be used for your own ends. Authority is given to you by someone else so that a purpose can be achieved. A policeman is given authority by the state not to achieve his own ends, but to ensure the smooth operation of law and order.
Submission is a reflection of submission to the Lord. The husband is placed as head of the household. He is given this position not to get his own way, but to ensure the family functions in the way God intends it to.
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