This passage speaks to both the husband and wife. Wife should submit to the husband as to the Lord v.22. How does he like the Lord? He is set up as the head of the family v.23. This passage does not tell us who set it up, but in Gen 2:18 woman is created as the helper of her husband. The husband is the leader of the family just as Christ is the leader of the church. However, one thing I do not understand. The Bible also mention Christ being the Savior of the church v.23b. How does this relate to the husband and wife relationship?
In v.25-30, Paul explains why did Christ die for us, because He cares about His body. He dies for us so that we may be holy v.26, and radiant v.27. Husband does not die for his wife, but he should care for his wife just as Christ cares for us. What the wife needs are taken care by the husband, therefore the 2 shall become 1 v.31.
The relationship between Christ and the church is about submission and love, and so should the marital relationship. The relationship between Christ/church is assumed in Paul's writing and he encourages the husband and wife to learn from this model. However, in today's church may even the Christ/church relationship cannot be assumed. We may still need to learn how to submit to Christ in the church today! Submission becomes a lost art because we are self-center. Yes, God has created us equal, but does not mean we cannot have different function. When we demand equal function and authority we miss the point of this passage.
In v.25-30, Paul explains why did Christ die for us, because He cares about His body. He dies for us so that we may be holy v.26, and radiant v.27. Husband does not die for his wife, but he should care for his wife just as Christ cares for us. What the wife needs are taken care by the husband, therefore the 2 shall become 1 v.31.
The relationship between Christ and the church is about submission and love, and so should the marital relationship. The relationship between Christ/church is assumed in Paul's writing and he encourages the husband and wife to learn from this model. However, in today's church may even the Christ/church relationship cannot be assumed. We may still need to learn how to submit to Christ in the church today! Submission becomes a lost art because we are self-center. Yes, God has created us equal, but does not mean we cannot have different function. When we demand equal function and authority we miss the point of this passage.
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