Being Married

Introduction: The Bible teaches that marriage is a gift from God. Not every Christian will get married but married or single all are expected to practice the ideals of marriage. For the married the ideals are to be practiced strengthening the relationship for the single it is to promote the ideals of marriage to help strengthen others.

It helps to look at 5:21 before beginning. We are all to submit to each other and on this foundation all aspects of marriage are based.

Wives submit as Service Eph. 22-24 “21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.   22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.   23 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.   24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”

1. The church of Christ is used here as an example of marriage

2. Submission here means to honor and obey based on a principle of love

   1. This complies with God’s authority

   2. It is be done however as “unto the Lord” for this pleases God

   3. This shows respect to God as well as to our neighbors

3. The husband is given the responsibility of being the head of the family

   1. This metaphor comes from the head of the body

   2. Though it controls thoughts and decisions it cannot function without other members of the body working together in harmony

   3. NOTE: Whatever uneasiness there is about the design of this relationship it comes from sin. Man is suppose to be endowed with a certain amount of wisdom and knowledge and thus carries the responsibility for such. The man is to protect therefore the wife should be pleased that this is taking place.

4. Therefore, as the church is subject to Christ in cheerfulness, with fidelity, so should the wife be to their own husbands in everything.

Husbands: Love as Christ loves Eph. 25-30 “25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;   26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,   27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.   28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.   29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:   30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. “

1. The duty of the husband is to love the wife

2. Without love this authority turns to abuse but love will desire to do the right things in the relationship

3. Christ’s love for the church is the given examples.

   1. Ardent

   2. Consistent

   3. Protective

   4. V. 27 seems to refer to the Jews strict procedures for washing and cleansing before presentation

      1. Some think this refers simply to a garment—it will be clean before we wear it and become as one with it

4. No man hates himself and lives to harm himself

Both: Express a complete unity 5:31-33 “31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.   32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.   33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverences her husband.”

1. Mans obligations are not canceled because of marriage, but the marriage becomes the favored and preferred one. Business, social relations are to be enjoyed by Christians, but it is the marriage relation that is to be given priority and nothing is to be allowed to hinder it.

2. The mystery here refers to the church how it will mystically become united with Christ

3. V. 33 is a summary. We are to love our spouse with such a sincere, peculiar, and prevailing affection that it dominates our lives and gives honor to God