Ephesians 5: Husbands and Wives

                Paul tells the Ephesians that “…fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness [desiring possessions of others], let it not be once named among you… Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking… For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, no covetous man…. Hath any inheritance in the kingdom Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:3-5)

Paul goes on to explain that as followers of Christ and Saints of His church they should refrain from all evil things and instead of being drunk, they should be filled with the Spirit; “…be not drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) Paul urges the members of Christ’s Church to have music in their heart always so that they will know the power of God and fear Him; “…making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Ephesians 5:19-20)

Paul explains a little about the roles of Husbands and Wives;

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:22-25)

Are Wives subject to their Husbands?

If we only read that Wives must ‘submit themselves’ to their husbands, we might find the scriptures to be extremely sexist and controlling of women. However, we must read the entire chapter to understand what is meant when Paul said that wives must submit themselves to their husbands. Paul is saying that as Christ is the head of the church, so the husband is the head of the household. This is sacred calling and not a position of authority. Paul goes on to say; “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord  the church.” (Ephesians 5:28-29) If a man held his position of ‘head of household’ and use it as a position of authority he would not love his wife.

Modern day Apostles and Prophets have spoken about this in a Proclamation that they wrote to the World; The Proclamation to the World, which reads;

“HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations…. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)

Husbands and Wives are to work TOGETHER as EQUAL PARTNERS to raise a family and take care of one another. Husbands are given the responsibility to care for their families, while Wives are to provide motherly nourishment of young minds. No one is above another… and both are equally responsible.