Ephesians 5:21-33

Previewing in Outline Form (Ephesians 5:21-33)

C.

Subject yourselves one to another. Ephesians 5:21-33; Ephesians 6:1-9.

1.

The command. Ephesians 5:21.

2.

Wives and husbands. Ephesians 5:22-33.

a.

Wives to be subject unto husbands. Ephesians 5:22-24; Ephesians 5:33 b.

(1) As unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:22.

(2)

The husband is head of the wife. Ephesians 5:23.

(3)

The wife is to be subject to the husband as the church is to Christ. Ephesians 5:24.

(4)

The wife is to fear her husband. Ephesians 5:33 b.

b.

Husbands to love their wives. Ephesians 5:25-33 a.

(1)

As Christ loved the church. Ephesians 5:25-27.

(a)

He gave himself up for it. Ephesians 5:25-27.

((1))

That He might sanctify it.

((2))

That He might present the church to Himself.

(b)

He nourishes and cherishes it. Ephesians 5:29 b - Ephesians 5:30.

(c)

The first marriage contained a mystery regarding Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32.

(2)

As their own bodies. Ephesians 5:28-29 a, Ephesians 5:33 a.

(a)

He that loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28 b.

(b)

No man ever hated his own flesh. Ephesians 5:29 a.

(c)

Each to love his own wife as himself. Ephesians 5:33 a.

Text (Ephesians 5:21)

21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

Thought Questions (Ephesians 5:21)

313.

What is the virtue of being subject one to another?

314.

If everyone is subject to everyone else, who will have authority?

315.

What does the fear of Christ have to do with our being subject to one another?

Paraphrase

21.

With respect to your duties one to another, you must be subjecting yourselves to one another, according to the various relationships in which you stand to one another. And this you must do because you fear the authority of Christ who has appointed these relationships.

Notes (Ephesians 5:21)

1.

This verse begins a new section in the outline entitled, Subject yourselves one to another, The general principle is laid down in this verse that we must be subject to one another; then in the development that follows it becomes obvious that what is meant is that we are to be subject according to the various positions we occupy in life, Specifically, the wife is to be subject to the husband, the child to the parent, and the slave to the master.

2.

The duty to be subjecting yourselves one to another is parallel to giving thanks in Ephesians 5:20. However, the matter of subjecting ourselves occupies such a long section in the text (it goes to Ephesians 6:9), that we list it as a separate duty.

3.

We do have ranks and positions of required subjection in this world. A Communist state where everyone is supposed to be perfectly equal is a slave state. Unless we are willing to be subject where subjection is proper, chaos will result.

4.

Many of the Christians in the first century had unbelieving husbands, parents, or masters. The Christians were not to get unwarranted ideas of freedom and independence, and begin to disregard legitimate authority over them.

Fact Questions

282.

What is the heading of section Ephesians 5:21-33; Ephesians 6:1-9 in the outline?

Text (Ephesians 5:22-24)

22 Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.

Thought Questions (Ephesians 5:22-24)

316.

Do women have to be subject to men generally, or just to their own husbands?

317.

Does the husband have authority to lord it over his wife, and force her to be in subjection?

318.

Has the emancipation of women gone so far that they are no longer in subjection as the Scriptures-' command? Should we have scrapped the phrase love, honor, and obey, from the marriage vows?

319.

What lesson should husbands learn from the fact that Christ's headship over the church is accompanied by His being Saviour of the body?

320.

Is the husband to be regarded as being as omniscient (all-wise) as the Lord? How can the wife be a helper, and yet be in subjection?

321.

Is there any limitation upon the authority of the husband over the wife? How far does Be subject in everything go?

Paraphrase

22.

Considering the duties of mutual subjection in particular, wives, be subject to your own husbands in the same manner that you are subject to the Lord Jesus.

23.

For the husband is the head of the wife and is entitled to direct her, even as Christ is the head of the church. Howbeit, Christ is a very kind head, being also the saviour of the body.

24.

But as the church is subject to Christ in everything, let also the wives be subject to their own husbands in everything.

Notes (Ephesians 5:22-24)

1.

Certainly no church member resents being in subjection to Christ. If husbands were what they should be, no wife should resent being in subjection to her husband. Remember that the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. The man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man. (1 Corinthians 11:8-9; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6).

2.

Nonetheless, when all reasonable causes for subjection (such as care, kindness, wisdom, etc.) are absent, the wife is still to be subject to the husband as unto the Lord. Let her not leave her husband (1 Corinthians 7:13).

3.

The wife's subjection does not mean that she has no moral or personal dignity. Her subjection is not servile. She is entitled to respect. She was created to be a helper, not a slave. Her service should not have to be done with fear and trembling. The husband has no authority to speak bitterly against her (Colossians 3:19). He has no authority to beat or abuse her.

Fact Questions

283.

A woman's subjection to her husband is like her subjection to whom?

284.

What organic relationship does the husband bear to the wife that Christ also bears to the church (Ephesians 5:23)?

285.

Christ is indeed head of the church, but what other relation does He have to the body (Ephesians 5:23)?

286.

In what things are the wives to be subject to their husbands (Ephesians 5:24)?

Text (Ephesians 5:25-26)

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; 26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word.

Thought Questions (Ephesians 5:25-26)

322.

Whose example is a husband to imitate in his love for his wife?

323.

Is the husband expected to give himself up for his wife?

324.

Christ desired to sanctify the church (Ephesians 5:26). Is this something that is done at one time, or something that requires a lifetime? When and how are we sanctified? (See 1 Corinthians 6:11.)

325.

To what does the washing of water refer? What reasons or supporting Scriptures can you give for your answer?

326.

How does the word go along with the washing of water?

Paraphrase

25.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church so much that he was willing to give himself up and die for her.

26.

Christ gave himself for the church that he might sanctify (purify and consecrate) her through the washing of water in baptism, and this is done wherever the word is taught.

Notes (Ephesians 5:25-26)

1.

Wouldst thou that thy wife should obey thee as the church obeys Christ? Do thou then care for her, as Christ for the church, even if thou must lay down thy life for her shrink not, shouldst thou suffer even this. Thou hast not yet matched all that which Christ hath done, For thou doest this after thou hast already won her, but he sacrificed himself for her that turned away from him and hated him; and when she was thus disposed, he brought her to his feet not by threats, or insults, or terror, or any such thing, but by this great solicitude. So do thou conduct thyself toward that wife of thine. - - - Her that is the partner of thy life, the mother of thy children, the spring of thy joy, thou must not bind by terror and threats, but by love and gentleness. (Chrysostom)

2.

The love of husband for wife is not that of passion, but of soul-love.

3.

The church is to be sanctified as a result of Christ's sufferings. Because He died, we may be made righteous in the sight of God. The bride-groom relationship with Christ is the strongest possible reason for godly life on the part of the church.

4.

The washing of water has been interpreted as referring to baptism by most commentators, both ancient and modern. (Compare Hebrews 10:22, and Titus 3:5) There have been some advocates of salvation by faith only who have tried to prove that the water mentioned here does not refer to baptism, and that Christian baptism has nothing to do with salvation or sanctification. Such interpretations are obviously not an effort to present what the Scriptures say, but to prove by the Scriptures the doctrines that one already believes.

5.

It is plainly inferred in Ephesians 5:26 that the entire church has been baptized.

6.

With the word is literally translated in word. Wherever the Word of God has been taught, there Christ has cleansed the church by the washing of water. This plainly indicates that hearing and believing the Word must precede baptism.

This interpretation of with the word is in accord with Mark 16:15-16, which describes the process of salvation as being (1) preaching the gospel (or the Word), (2) faith, (3) baptism, (4) salvation.

7.

The tense (aorist) of having cleansed indicates that the cleansing is one specific action, rather than a progressive cleansing. This cleansing, or sanctification, takes place when we are baptized.

Fact Questions

287.

What is the essential duty of husbands to wives?

288.

How much did Christ love the church?

289.

By what is the church sanctified?

290.

How is the phrase with the word literally translated? What part does the word have in our being cleansed?

Text (Ephesians 5:27)

27 that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Thought Questions (Ephesians 5:27)

327.

What did Christ do that He might present the church to Himself? (See Ephesians 5:25-26.)

328.

When will the church be presented to Christ?

329.

What distinction would you make between a spot and a wrinkle? Applying these terms to the church, what might be called a spot, and what might be called a wrinkle?

330.

Is the church to put on her own wedding garments, or is she to be adorned by the Lord (Revelation 19:7-8)?

331.

When, if ever, will the church be without spot or wrinkle?

Paraphrase

27.

Christ cleanses the church by the washing of water with the word for this purpose: that he may at his second coming present the church to himself, glorious, not in material garments, but in the beauty of righteousness, a church not having spot from external defilement, nor wrinkle from lack of care of her garments, but that it should be holy and without any blemish.

Notes (Ephesians 5:27)

1.

The church shall be presented to Christ at His second coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

2.

The church in this world will never become faultless. But since salvation is a gift of grace, and not a matter of merit and moral perfection, the church will be caught up to her bridegroom without spot or wrinkle, washed white in the blood of the Lamb.

Without spot or wrinkle may refer to the perfection of the bodies of the saints, as well as to their spirits. Our present mortal bodies cannot inherit the kingdom of God. But when we are caught up with the Lord we shall have been transformed in body (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

3.

It is pure delight to be joined to Christ as a bride to a husband. The joy of being married to Christ is rapturously pictured in the Song of Solomon and in Isaiah 62:4-5. We can call ourselves Beulah, which means Married.

Fact Questions

288.

What kind of a church does Christ desire to present to Himself?

289.

What defects is the church not to have when she is presented to Christ?

Text (Ephesians 5:28-30)

28 Even so ought husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself: 29 for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church; 30 because we are members of his body.

Thought Questions (Ephesians 5:28-30)

332.

Is the husband to love his wife in the same degree as he loves his own body? Or is he to love her as being a part of his body? What is the difference between the two ideas?

333.

How can it be that he that loves his wife loves himself?

334.

How does Christ nourish the church?

335.

Is the church married to Christ, or just engaged to Him?

Paraphrase

28.

Seeing that Christ loved the church so much that he gave himself up for it, men ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. Indeed, the one who loves his wife loves himself, for she is as much a part of him as his own flesh.

29.

And no one ever hated his own flesh, as a man would be doing if he did not love his wife. Rather, a man feeds his flesh to maturity and keeps it warm, just as Christ also nourishes and cherishes the church.

30.

For we, the members of the church, are members of Christ's body, even as a husband and wife are one body.

Notes (Ephesians 5:28-30)

1.

Husbands are not to love their wives in the same degree that they love their own bodies, but they are to love their wives as being one body with themselves. The wife is part of the husband, The two are one flesh, The idea that the two are one makes love a compelling necessity, and not just a matter of condescension.

2.

Nourish means to feed, feed to maturity, support, etc. Cherish means to warm, keep warm, to cherish with tender love.

3.

It is a priceless thought to consider that Christ nourishes the church and cherishes her with the same warmth that a husband loves his wife. But indeed He does this, because we are members of His body, even as a husband and wife are one body. Christ nourishes the church with daily bread and food for the soul.

4.

The phrase in the King James Version, of his flesh and of his bones is not found in the best and oldest manuscripts of the Bible. Therefore it is not included in the text of the Revised Version.

5.

We may be members of the body of Christ. But the body (the church) does not exercise the authority of Christ. The head is the seat of all the authority. The body is subject in all things to the head. The church is not an authoritarian institution. (See notes on Ephesians 1:20-23.)

6.

The church is technically only engaged to Christ. The marriage supper of the Lamb is yet to come (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7), but in Bible times the engagement was practically as binding as the marriage.

Fact Questions

290.

Husbands are to love their wives as their own..................

291.

He that loveth his wife loveth..................

292.

What two things does a man do for his own flesh that he should do for his wife?

293.

Christ nourishes and cherishes the church because we are what (Ephesians 5:30)?

Text (Ephesians 5:31-32)

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church.

Thought Questions (Ephesians 5:31-32)

336.

What was the background of the original decree commanding that a man should leave his father and mother (Genesis 2:21-24)?

337.

What was the original cause for which a man was commanded to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife (Matthew 19:4-5)?

338.

How could the original command to Adam have had reference to Christ and the church when the church was not in existence at that time?

339.

What does the expression, the two shall become one flesh mean (Compare 1 Corinthians 6:16.)

340.

Why is the relationship between Christ and the church called a mystery? Would you have ever imagined that Adam and Eve's marriage was designed to represent the relation between Christ and the church?

341.

Can Christ be said to have left His Father for His wife?

Paraphrase

31.

Now because God created mankind male and female, they were enjoined that the man should leave his father and mother and be inseparably united to his wife, being joined in fleshly union and in spiritual union.

32.

This relationship between Adam and Eve contained a great mystery, a hidden meaning not originally made known, namely that their marriage relationship was not spoken only of them, but had reference to the relationship between Christ and the church.

Notes (Ephesians 5:31-32)

1.

It is almost staggering to find that the original marriage of Adam and Eve was designed to represent the relationship between Christ and the church. But there are many points of resemblance:

a.

Eve was taken from the side of Adam. The church in like manner came from the side of Christ, for the church was purchased with His blood, which came from His side.

b.

Man was told to forsake parents for his bride. Christ forsook heaven to come to earth to win His bride.

c.

Adam loved Eve. Christ loves the church.

d.

There was only one wife for Adam (Malachi 2:15-16), only one bride, one church, for Christ (Ephesians 4:4).

e, The marriage of Adam and Eve was permanent for their lifetime. The marriage of Christ and the church will be permanent for their lifetime, eternity.

2.

When we stop to think about it, it is hard to conceive of any reason why Eve should have been made from the rib of Adam unless God intended to illustrate the relation between Christ and the church. Eve could have been made from the dust as Adam was (and presumably the animals also). However, the appropriateness of the manner in which she was made becomes evident when we realize that it pictures the manner in which Christ produced the church.

3.

The union between the Lord and His people was first conceived, then marriage was devised and employed as an illustration of the relationship. Marriage was not created first, and then later used as an illustration of the union of Christ and the church.

4.

Cleave to means to glue upon, glue to, join one's self closely to. When two pieces of wood are well glued together, the wood will break before the glue-joint does. Likewise in the marriage bond, the husband or wife should die before the marriage bond breaks.

5.

The Vulgate (Latin Bible) says in Ephesians 5:32 sacramentum hoc magnum est, which means, This is a great sacrament, Upon this erroneous translation of This mystery is great, the Roman church has proclaimed that marriage is one of the sacraments of the church. By controlling the marriages of its people, the Roman church holds an almost unbreakable grip upon the lives of its members.

Fact Questions

294.

To whom, and when, was the statement first made, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother?

295.

What is the significance of the verb, cleave?

296.

The application of Genesis 2:24 to Christ and the church is called a great................

Text (Ephesians 5:33)

33 Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband.

Thought Questions (Ephesians 5:33)

342.

Does the fact that Genesis 2:24 has reference to Christ and the church exclude its application to husbands and wives?

343.

What degree of fear is a wife to have toward her husband?

Paraphrase

33.

Notwithstanding the fact that the original marriage decree was intended to show the relation of Christ and his church, its application to human marriage remains unaffected, and thus each man must love his own wife as being part of himself, and likewise let the wife take care to reverence and obey her husband.

Notes (Ephesians 5:33)

1.

Marriage is regulated by divine commandments. The husband MUST love his wife. The wife MUST be in subjection to her husband. They MUST cleave together as long as they both shall live. To do otherwise is sin.

2.

The fact that Genesis 2:24 had reference to Christ and the church certainly does NOT exclude its application to husbands and wives.

3.

See the notes on Ephesians 5:28 concerning the identity of the wife with her husband, and the consequent necessity of the husband loving his wife as himself.

4.

Fear The wife is not expected to fear her husband as a slave fears a tyrannical master, but rather as the church fears Christ. This is a blend of respect, love, gratitude and subjection.

Fact Questions

297.

According to Ephesians 5:33, the wife is to................her husband.