Ephesians 5:22-33 and
6:1-9
The first 21
verses of Ephesians Chapter 5 contain some very startling contrasts.
For instance,
the sins of fornication, uncleanness, and foolish talking are contrasted with the
virtues of righteousness and truth.
What is the meaning of this diversity?
Well, it simply means there are two very different families inhabiting this world.
There's the unsaved, whom Paul calls "the children of wrath," and there's the redeemed, whom Paul identifies as God’s "dear
children."
That's the bad news.
The good news is, God has made a way for "the
children of wrath" to escape their former family connection and become His "dear
children."
Yes, "--- God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Well, the believers in Ephesus had done just that.
They had accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and had become God’s "dear children."
And certainly this new relationship had produced some unthinkable
blessings, but it had also incurred some serious responsibilities.
They were expected to be "followers (or imitators) of God, as dear children."
And their old sins, such as fornication,
uncleanness, and covetousness" were
not to be even named among them "as
becometh saints."
Yes there were obligations connected with this new family, and, as
should be the case in any family, there would be family structure.
And that's why Ephesians 5: 21 speaks of "Submitting
yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
Actually, in my last lesson, I quoted this verse in reference to a
Christian’s human family, but it also applies to a believer’s spiritual family.
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Now,
this idea of submission is not very popular in the society we live in.
People
want to do things their way.
Today, it's all about my rights and my
privileges.
But that's not the way it works in the
body of Christ.
No, we're admonished to submit ourselves "one to another in the fear of
God."
And not only have we been taught this precept,
but our Lord Jesus demonstrated this servant attitude in His own life.
In fact, Hebrews 5:8 says: "Though he were a Son, yet learned he
obedience by the things which he suffered."
So then, submission to authority is a
fact of life in a Christian’s experience.
And even though that authority is
usually exercised by a human agent, a Christian must recognize and honour the
divine authority that backs it up.
That's why, even though Ephesians 5: 21 speaks of "Submitting yourselves one to another," it also reminds us that we are to do so "in the fear of God."
And even though this particular verse refers to our brothers and sisters
in the Lord, this principle also extends to the governing authority of the
society we live in.
We see that teaching in Romans Chapter 13 where we are told "the powers that be are ordained of
God."
However, since we are presently meditating on Ephesians 5: 21, which
deals with our interaction between those inside the body of Christ, let's take
a moment to think about church government.
I Peter 5 makes it clear that God has
set up elders to guide and direct the local church.
You might say they are God’s shepherds.
In fact, in V 2 of this same chapter, their
shepherding responsibility is clearly spelled out --- "Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof."
However, in the very next verse, that is
V 3, they are cautioned not to think of themselves as "lords over God's heritage."
No, under the Chief Shepherd, they are
simply the under shepherds whose responsibly
is to care for the flock.
And then, as I alluded to in my last
lesson, Paul carries this attitude of submission into the Christian home.
Ephesians 5:22-24 "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 saviour of the body.
24: Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be
to their own husbands in every thing."
Now, I suppose there are those who would
like to concentrate on the submission of the wife, but in actual fact, there
are two members in this relationship.
And in actual fact, both of them have
the privilege of picturing that mystical relationship between Christ and His
Church.
The husband’s example is the Heavenly Bridegroom,
while the wife's example is the Church of Jesus Christ.
If we keep that in mind, I think a
couple's responsibility before God will be seen in a much truer light.
In reality, His requirements are a
blessing, not a burden.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
At this point, I would like to skip over
the wife's responsibility, as we see it in Ephesians 5: 22-24, and go directly
to V 25-27, where the Heavenly Bridegroom’s example brings the husband’s
responsibility into focus.
You might say, by reversing this order,
I am putting the leadership in the hands of the husband.
If he is faithful in upholding his
responsibilities, then there will be a lot more reason for the wife's reaction
to be correct.
So then, as we turn to Ephesians 5:
25-27, we will find that Christ’s care of His Church encompasses both the past,
the present, and the future ---"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."
Yes, His care began in the past when we
were enemies of God and on the way to an eternity in hell.
Even
then, when we "were dead in trespasses and sins," He was willing to be made "sin
for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him."
Yes,
He "loved the church, and gave
himself for it."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And
even now, during this present Age of Grace, He is busy sanctifying and
cleansing His Church by "the washing of water by the word."
Now, what exactly does the Holy Spirit
mean when He says the Word of God is the water that cleans and sanctifies us?
Well, let me hasten to say that only the
Lord Jesus can cleanse us from our sin.
It is Christ's sacrifice on Calvary that
has taken away our sin.
And it is the One Who washed the
disciples’ feet Who is both ready and willing to wash us from the defilement of
sin that we incur on a daily basis.
That's why 1 John1: 9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
However, having said all that, we must
recognize the fact that God's Holy Word has a wonderful cleansing effect on our hearts and minds.
And I believe that's what Ephesians 5:
26 is talking about when it speaks of "the
washing of water by the word."
So then, how does the Word of God wash
us, and, for that matter, how do we know we need washing?
Well, I don't think there's a short
answer to either of these questions, but the long one is well worth the time we
will spend on it.
And this long answer can be found in the
layout of the tabernacle in the wilderness.
As you probably know, the tabernacle
(that is the tent that God's glory inhabited) was located near the end of a
sort of courtyard.
As the priest entered this enclosure, he
was confronted by the brazen altar.
That's where the sacrifices were
offered, and that's where the blood was shed, making it a fitting type of the
cross on which Jesus died.
And by its location, it emphasizes the
fact that a person can only come to God by the way of the cross.
However, unlike the brazen altar,
Christ's sacrifice was a one-time event.
As Hebrews 10:10 testifies: "--- we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
once for all."
Getting back to the Old Testament priest,
as he continued to walk toward the tabernacle and toward his service for God,
he would encounter another instrument of cleansing.
This time the medium was water not blood.
Yes, standing before him was a rather
large container called the laver.
It contained a quantity of water, and
was to be used to wash his hands and his feet.
You see, as he walked from the brazen
altar on his way to the tabernacle, he would have been soiled by the desert
dust that he kicked up along his way.
Certainly there was no need to return to
the brazen altar.
Its work had been accomplished.
However, if he is to enter the place of
service, he must wash off this defilement at the laver.
And that is also true of the Christian.
A Christian is saved for time and
eternity.
Christ has "perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
Nevertheless, his thoughts and his
motives can be defiled by the world around him.
And not only can they be defiled, but
his very conscience can be hardened by the ungodly philosophies that crowd in
upon him.
So not only does he stand in need of
cleansing, but his conscience must be awakened as to his need.
Well, that’s where the other aspect of
the laver comes into play.
You see, not only was it an instrument
of cleansing, it was a means of enlightenment.
And if we turn to Exodus 38, we will discover
the source of this other asset.
Exodus 38:8 "And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of
the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation."
You see, in those days looking glasses
were not actually made of glass.
They were made of polished brass.
Consequently, when the women lovingly
donated their looking glasses, they were melted down to make the laver.
So then, in its new form, would the
laver be shiny enough to supply its old service?
Would the Old Testament priest be made
aware of the fact that he should wash his hands and feet?
I believe he would.
And that's exactly what happens when a
Christian looks into the Word of God.
He is made aware of his shortcomings,
and if he is wise enough to heed the advice offered him in James Chapter 1, he will do something about it.
James 1: 22-25 "But be ye doers
of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto
a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man
shall be blessed in his deed."
So then, during this Age of Grace, Jesus
is sanctifying and cleansing His Church "with the washing of water by the word."
It's His ongoing work in this present
age, and it will be His completed work in glory.
As Ephesians 5:27 tells us, when the
bride of Christ sits down at the marriage supper of the Lamb, she will be "a glorious church, not having spot,
or wrinkle, or any such thing."
Yes, she will be without "spot," being lovingly transported beyond the reach of temptation.
And she will be without "wrinkle" in a land where the
ravages of time and decay can no longer assail her.
Her husband's care, both in the past and
the present and the future, has come to a successful completion.
~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Well, Christian husbands, that's the
example we are called upon to emulate.
And Christian wives, the bride of Christ
(although imperfect) has provided you with her shining example.
Only the Holy Spirit's enablement can
fit us for this holy calling.
~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Let us return then to God's admonition
for Christian wives as we find it in Ephesians 5: 22 --- "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the
Lord."
First of all, as we look at the very
different requirements placed on husbands and wives, and even children, we must
not lose sight of the fact that they all enjoy an equal standing before God.
As Galatians 3: 28 points out, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus."
However, having said that, we can't avoid
the fact that God has set up a definite structure and responsibility within the
family unit.
And even secular organizations, such as
businesses, etc., recognize the value of structure.
If no one is in charge, then pandemonium
will be the order of the day.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
So then, let us begin once again with
wives, and this somewhat troublesome word submit.
Ephesians 5:22 "Wives,
submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."
From a purely worldly point of view,
although, unfortunately, this often includes the attitude of Christians, this
verse can be a source of double trouble.
The feminists would consider such a
statement an insult to feminine abilities and self worth, while the male chauvinist
commonly uses it as a license for abusive behaviour.
May I say that both of these concepts are
a gross misinterpretation of God’s Word.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
First of all, let's examine the notion
that submission downgrades an individual to a second-class citizen, a person of
inferior abilities and self worth.
Certainly, this is a commonly held
theory, but does it really have any credibility?
For instance, can we depend upon the
fact that bosses are always smarter than their employees?
Can we safely assume that those in
authority are superior to those under them?
Well, I think we all have an opinion on
that subject.
But, more to the point, at least for a
Christian, could we apply this theory to the Lord Jesus?
Certainly, there's no doubt that God
referred to Jesus as "my
servant."
Isaiah 42: 1 "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul
delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the
Gentiles."
And, certainly, Jesus was very willing
to be God's Servant.
As a matter of fact, it was a central
characteristic in His makeup.
He could say without reservation, "I do always those things that please
him."
Does that make Him inferior to His Heavenly
Father?
Nothing could be further from the truth.
He is a full member of the Godhead, and equal
in every respect.
And yet, even though He was "equal with God," He "made himself of no reputation, and took
upon him the form of a servant."
No, a servant attitude does not indicate
inferiority.
In fact, in Philippians 2:5 it is held
up as a desirable characteristic ---"Let this mind be in you, which
was also in Christ Jesus:
6: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God:
7: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"
So then, getting back to the subject at
hand, a wife's submission to her husband's leadership does not reflect upon her
ability or self worth.
In fact, it's not uncommon for a wife to
be gifted in many areas that are not found in her husband.
So then, does that give her the right to
take over the leadership of the family?
God's Word says it does not.
Rather, she should employ her God-given
talents to be a helpmate, seeking her husband's good, and the good of the
family.
And her obedience to God’s command in no
way downgrades her self worth.
In fact, both she and her husband have
been given the unique responsibility and opportunity of fulfilling a very
beautiful type.
Ephesians 5:22-25 "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 saviour of the body.
24: Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be
to their own husbands in every thing.
25: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and
gave himself for it."
And might I say, we shouldn't try to
separate V 24 from V 25.
V 24 says "as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to
their own husbands in every thing."
However, what are the circumstances
under which the church is subject to her Heavenly Bridegroom?
Well, she is subject to a husband who
loves her, and gave Himself for her.
How hard should that be?
In like manner, if a husband loves his
wife, if he protects her, cares for her needs, and provides the umbrella under
which she can safely dwell, she should have no problem following his
leadership.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And there's another compelling reason
why a husband should be vitally concerned with his wife's welfare.
We find that reason way back in Genesis
2: 21-22 "And the LORD God caused a
deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and
closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22: And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman,
and brought her unto the man."
Yes, Adam’s wife was part of himself.
And because of that special one-flesh
relationship, they pictured another very special one-flesh relationship.
As Ephesians 5:30 reminds us, Christians
"are members of his body (that
is Christ's body), of his flesh, and of
his bones."
And that one-flesh relationship not is only
true of Adam and Eve.
It applies to all Christian
marriages.
In fact, in Ephesians 5:28-33, Paul points to that unique
relationship as the logical reason why husbands should care for their wives.
"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.
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 reverence her husband."
~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And then, if God should bless a marriage
with children, He also blesses it with further instructions.
Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."
Certainly, not all children are born
into Christian families.
Some parents are haters of God.
Some parents teach their children to bow
down to false gods.
And some parents are very abusive in the
way they treat their children.
Happy indeed is the child who is born
into a loving Christian family.
However, being raised in a Christian
home doesn't make a child a Christian.
And even if he becomes a believer at a
very early age, he must pass through years of development before he will
possess the spiritual insight necessary to cope with the world around him.
In short, he must rely upon the adult
wisdom and protection of his parents during those formative years.
That's why God's says ---"Children, obey your parents in the Lord:
for this is right."
It's their chief obligation, and it's their
ticket to safety and happiness.
And might I say, parents who insist upon
obedience have provided their children with an invaluable treasure.
Its riches will stand by them both for
time and eternity.
On the other hand, parents who allow
their children to disobey have shackled them with a severe disability.
As children grow older, they will face
other authorities, such as teachers, governments, and employers.
How they react to these authorities will
have a large impact on their happiness, and the happiness of those around him.
So then, God has placed a great responsibility
on parents.
But He has also placed a responsibility
on children.
Yes, He is speaking to children when He
says, "obey your parents in the
Lord: for this is right."
And if obeying is right, then disobeying
is wrong.
And if we read a little farther, we will
find that there is a reward for obedience.
Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord:
for this is right.
2: Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with
promise;)
3: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the
earth."
What did Paul mean when he spoke of a
child's obedience as "the first
commandment with promise?"
If that's the first one, then there must
be others.
Well, there are others.
In fact, there are 9 others.
Collectively, they're called the Ten
Commandments, and they're found in Exodus Chapter 20.
And as you read through these ten commandments,
you will find this is the first one that comes with a reward.
It is found in Exodus 20:12 "Honour
thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the
LORD thy God giveth thee."
And if you turn to Colossians 3:20, you
will find something else about obedience.
"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well
pleasing unto the Lord."
So, my young Christian friend, do you
want to please the Lord?
I hope you do.
Well, that's where you start.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Under God's inspiration, Paul has dealt
with the role of Christian husbands.
They are to emulate the care of the Lord
Jesus for His Church.
And now he is dealing with Christian
fathers.
Who should they emulate?
Well, he really doesn't say, but using
the same principle, I think they should emulate their Heavenly Father.
So let's turn to Psalm 103:13 where we
read --- "Like as a father pitieth
his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14: For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."
Yes, like a wise father, our Heavenly
Father tempers His reasonable demands with the fact that His children are
limited.
As Jesus once said to His disciples, "I have yet many things to say unto
you, but ye cannot bear them now."
And a Christian father should also keep
that fact in mind.
Certainly, just like his Heavenly Father,
he must insist upon obedience.
It's for the good of his children.
But he must also remember his offspring are
only children, not adults.
He must remember Paul's admonition found
in Ephesians 6: 4 --- " fathers, provoke
not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord."
I'm sure we all know people who have
rejected the love of a Heavenly Father because of an unloving and austere
earthly father.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And then we come to the relationship between
servants and masters.
Actually, the Greek word that is
translated "servants" in
the passage before us is usually rendered slaves.
Yes, there's no doubt that some of the
congregation in the Ephesian church were both Christians and slaves.
And that wouldn't be too unusual, considering
the fact that the Roman society they lived in contained a large percentage of
slaves.
And so, part of this epistle is specifically
addressed to Christian slaves.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Today, we see slavery for what it is ---
a system that degrades and suppresses human beings.
And, incidentally, Christians have played
a large part in eradicating this scourge on society.
However, in the passage before us, the
Holy Spirit is not addressing the evils of slavery, but rather, He is
addressing a Christian’s attitude under such circumstances.
Certainly, we wouldn't be too surprised
if we discovered these believers harboured a deep-seated resentment against
their masters.
Such a reaction would be normal.
But would it be Christian, and would it
be beneficial to their health and well-being?
Let's see what Paul advises.
It might surprise you.
Ephesians 6: 5-8 "Servants, be obedient to
them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in
singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6: Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ,
doing the will of God from the heart;
7: With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he
receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."
Fortunately, we don't have to work under
such conditions.
We're not slaves.
We're free men.
However, most of us have sold our time
and our talents for an agreed upon remuneration.
It's how we put bread on the table.
So, in a real sense, these instructions
apply to us.
Certainly, a Christian should give an
honest day’s work for a day's pay.
To do less would be stealing from our
employer.
However, there's much more involved here
than the simple fulfillment of a contract.
You see, for a Christian, there's a
better way.
There's something that puts employment,
even slavery, on a higher plane.
Ephesians 6: 6 says we are "the servants of Christ," and
that puts a whole new face on our employment, doesn't it?
We're "doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."
And because we are serving the Lord, Who
looks on the heart, we shouldn't engage in "eyeservice, as menpleasers."
We shouldn't be creating a false
impression simply to please the boss, and we shouldn't stop working when he's
not looking.
No, we should be "doing the will of God from the heart."
You see, for a Christian, there really
isn't any such thing as secular work and spiritual service.
Whether we are a preacher or a plumber, a
missionary or a machinist, we are serving the Lord.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The story is told of that memorable Christian
missionary, William Carey, whom the Lord used so effectively in China.
When he was applying for foreign service,
he was asked --- "What is your business?"
Actually, the question was meant as a
slur, for they knew he wasn't an ordained man.
He answered, "My business is
serving the Lord, and I make shoes to pay expenses."
~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And then V 9 ends with an admonition for
employers:
"And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing
threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there
respect of persons with him."
We've seen that principle throughout this
lesson, haven't we?
Be it an elder, a father, or an
employer, they have a responsibility to their own Master.
So then, these are the actions and
reactions that God requires of Christians.
They reflect His wisdom and His care for
His children.
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