Webpage for Daniel Rivera: High School teacher and Data Analysis student.
Written on August 19, 2021
The Bible should be the source of truth and instruction for the Christian, and it should not be taken lightly. Let us discuss what Father God inspired Paul to teach us and correct us so we may be equipped for every good work.Ephesians 5 is a chapter that I have read before, and unfortunatley neglected parts of it which lead to a continuation of immaturity. If someone conciously applies what is stated in this book, there will be some degree of spiritual maturity that will upwell in them. It has happened to me, and I would like to go over one of the most important books of the Bible in my personal walk in spiritual development. Ephesians 5 is an incredible chapter written by one of my favorite Biblical authors: Apostle Paul. His testimony is fascitining in and of itself, but his writing is usually radical with its unique applications to Christian life. This chapter seems to be a coninuation of what was discussed at the end of Ephesians 4, which are instructions for Christian living. It begins by discussing "living in the light" (reference to John 8:12). Verses 1-2 call us to "imiate God in everything that you do... following the example of Christ".
Then we break into a new form of delivery with a command followed by suggesting an opposite action instead:
| Verse | Command | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you." | "Instead, let there be thanksgiving." |
| 6 | "Don't particitipate on what these [immmoral, impure, greedy people] people do." | "Live as people of light! This light within you produces what is good and right and true." |
| 11 | "Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness..." | "...expose them [evil deeds]", "Carefully determine what pleases the Lord" |
| 15 | "Dont live like fools" | "but live like those who are wise", "Make the most of every oppurtunity" |
| 18 | "Don't be drunk with wine" | "Be filled by the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and songs among yourselfs, making music to the Lord in your hearts." |
To end the chapter, the analogy between Jesus Christ and his church are established and heavily referenced. Verse 21 tells us to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ". Merriam-Webster states that submitting is "to yield to governance or authority" (we will talk more about this in an upcoming article). We are all called to submit to God (James 4:7). Wives are then called to submit to their husbands as the head of their union, just as Christ was the head, savior (husbands are meant to be the spiritual leaders at home) of the church. Jesus Christ submitted to the Father's will many times (John 6:38, 7:16, 7:28, 11:42, 12:49, 17:4 to name a few), so we must submit to each other and to Lord Jesus (out of reverance for his submission, which gave us eternal life through fulfilling his Father's will). Jesus is not above or below the Father, so choosing to submit to each other does not determine our value or worth.
After addressing the wive's role in the marriage (both earthly marriage and the marriage of Christ and his church), Apostle Paul leaves us with the husband's roles:
25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.[b] 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.
The husband is to love his wife, give up his live for his wife, make her holy and clean (through spiritual care and leadership), to love their wife as their own body. Paul explains his reasoning for the husband's responsibilities are in effort to make her holy and clean (washed by the word of God), to present her without a spot or wrinkle or blemish, and to present her as holy and without fault. This sacrificial love, protection, and consideration is a huge responsibility that glorifies our God. These also demonstrate that the husband loves himself, and ultimately agreeing to the order that our Father has commanded us to follow. We are honoring Jesus and his sacrifice through this union, and living in thanksgiving to God's plan for our own salvation.
As we end this article, please consider me in your prayers. There is a tremendous responsibility when a man is called to glorify our Father. At times, it seems like we cannot live up to what God has planned for us. Even though Jesus states in Matthew 11:28-30 that his "burden is light", us men have a large task ahead of us. One of my desires is to be a husband and a father, to reciprocate the love that my heavenly and earthly fathers have given me. It almost seems impossible at times, but I know that the Lord will strengthen and equip us for what he has planned for us. Keep me in your prayers as I strive to become an Ephesians 5 man one day.
For more on biblical roles in marriage, check out this article by Focus on the Family.