Ephesians 5:25

AN EVERYDAY EXHORTATION

‘Husbands, love your wives.’

Ephesians 5:25

This exhortation was never more needed than in the present day. The decay of home life is due to the loosening of the marriage tie, and this in turn is the result of a want of that true heart affection which is the great secret of a happy married life. Where marriage is a failure, where home life is unhappy, the fault too often—although not always—rests primarily upon the husband. He is the head of the wife, and when he fails the ruin is complete.

‘Husbands, love your wives.’ Love is a plant which yields precious fruit, as—

I. Faithfulness.—What means the violation of the marriage vow but an absence of love?

II. Loyalty.—To the man who truly loves his wife there is no woman in the world like unto her, and he yields her the loyalty of his heart and life.

III. Comradeship.—There is no home so happy as that in which husband and wife are comrades, but there can be no comradeship without the truest love.

Illustration

‘Said a dignitary of the Church, well advanced in years, to a young curate just about to marry: “My son, I have had more than fifty years of unclouded happiness as a married man. Let me give you this advice: Love your wife, and often take occasion to tell her that you do. Be lovers till the end of your days.” ’