Wives, Be Subject to Your Own Husbands (Part 2)

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”¹

The myth about women is that they're passive, docile beings, when in fact women are doers; women do. They get things done. As wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, women are involved in the doing of all aspects of life. Here Paul gives wives something to do: submit to your husband as you submit to the Lord. The same attitude of submission you have toward Christ is the attitude you must have toward your husband. To honor and obey Christ will be demonstrated in a wife's ability to honor her husband in her commitment to submit. Paul doesn’t initiate this instruction to the wives first. Instead, he instructs both husband and wife to submit to one another as they submit their lives to God (Ephesians 5:21). Submission is a cooperative act by both husband and wife.

Because of sin, the world views submission as something distasteful, subservient, and humiliating rather than the honor God bestows on us to obey. We profess our love for the God whom we've never seen, yet fail to love and submit to those we see daily. We declare our submission to Christ, yet we fail to submit to our spouse. A wife who seeks her husband to represent Christ in the marriage will submit to him, the husband who seeks his wife to represent the church will love and submit to her. To do otherwise would dishonor Christ and the church He established. Submitting to her husband requires a wife to be a doer. While some may find it demeaning to agree with this passage of scripture, it is there for a reason; I believe all scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16), and therefore it establishes genuine biblical doctrine, corrects error, and instructs one in living right before God.

A wife may ask of God, “What will I get in return for submitting to my husband?” The answer is supplied by her husband's love and submission abundantly directed to her.

As a Christian, I am a walking, breathing, living representation of Christ on earth; when people see me, they should see a reflection of Jesus Christ. Through my life, others should see what is meant by the words, joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:12), and in Him we live and move and exist (Acts 17:28). When they do see it, my life accurately, actively and purposely demonstrates who Jesus Christ is.

We proclaim that we’re followers of Christ, but then as we begin to live out the Christian experience, we pick and choose what we will and what we won’t obey; as though it will have no consequences. I am finally learning what it means to love my wife as Christ loves the church. Many of the wives who left comments shared the need to be loved for who they are; flawed women in need of love, forgiveness and grace. Some men are unwilling to love a woman in this unconditional way. He wants her to be something else; he wants her to lose her identity and be conformed into an idolatrous image of something he has conjured up to worship.

I was watching a movie recently and there was a scene about human sacrifice to appease the gods, and it occurred to me that no person with a sound mind would willingly give their life up for a thing; they must be deceived, coerced, or forced.

A wife isn’t a thing to be offered up in worship of her husband's idolatrous beliefs; she is a woman to be totally and unconditionally loved by her husband.

“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Many husbands will say, “My wife isn’t obeying scripture”, but what he really means is that she’s not obeying me. At the same time, my wife sees the reflection of my life and the image is not one of Christ.

No wife with a sound mind would willingly give her life up for a thing; she must be deceived, coerced, or forced by her husband.

Ask any ten Christian women, what it means to be subject to Christ and you’ll no doubt receive a reply regarding the unquestioned authority of God, faith, and submission that is consistently identical to the other nine answers. Ask those same ten women, what it means to be subject to your own husband and you likely get ten different answers. Just as many husbands have a problem loving their wife; many wives have a problem being subject to their own husband. They will say how flawed their husband may be, how unspiritual he is, and that’s why the marriage is bad.

If he were more like Christ, then I would gladly be subject to him.

The skeptic always asks, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”

I will conclude this topic next week.

Heavenly Father,

You created us in Your image and likeness, but sin distorted our ability to truly reflect You. Now through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have been given the gift of redemption and salvation. We have new life, that proclaims, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Your word commands us to submit to one another as we would submit our lives to You. You command husbands to love their wife, and that wives submit to their husbands. Correct the confusion we have over Your word. Teach us to obey, to love, and to submit.

I pray Lord, that You heal fractured marriages. I pray for those wives who feel hopelessly trapped, and unloved by their husband. I pray for husbands who feel utterly confused about how to love their wife. Set things right dear Lord. Let their be fertile ground in that marrige, that will produce fruit in abundance. May they discover truth and purpose together. In the name that covenants all who believe, sealed by His shed blood, the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte and Ginger).

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 5:21-22, KJV

References:

1. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, By James B. Strong, S.T.D, LL.D., Riverside Book and Bible House, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
2. Unger's Bible Dictionary, By Merrill F. Unger, Moody Press, Chicago
3. The Ryrie Study Bible (New American Standard Version), Edited by Charles C. Ryrie, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, ISBN 0-8024-8920-6
4. The Amplified Bible, by The Lockman Foundation, Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, ISBN-13: 978-0310951414
5. King James Version, The Crusade Analytical Study Edition, Crusade Bible Publishers, Inc., PO Box 90011, Nashville, Tennessee 37209
6. The Message Bible, by Eugene H. Peterson, NavPress Publishing Group, Colorado Springs, CO, ISBN-13: 978-1600060250
7. The NIV Study Bible, Edited by Kenneth Barker, Donald Burdick, John Stek, Walter Wessel and Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, USA
8. The New Living Translation Bible, by Tyndale Charitable Trust, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, ISBN-13: 978-0842384896
9. Matthew Henry's Commentary, McDonald Publishing Company, McLean, Virginia 22101, ISBN 0-917006-21-6

Wives, Be Subject to Your Own Husbands

As I’ve said, a woman has a tremendous capacity to love, and yet, she has an even greater need to be loved; God made her this way. A woman has the unique ability to help her husband; it is a gift from God. This gift can be changed to one of enabling. A woman uses her gift of helps by inappropriately directing it in the area of enabling. She enables her husband, her children, a parent, friend, or anyone who she sees in need of help. As she assumes the role of enabler, she quickly discovers that her help isn’t appreciated, and she invests more of herself in the effort to enable; believing the outcome will change, but it doesn’t.

What is it she really expects to occur?

She wants to affect a change that conforms to what she sees you need to be.

The purpose of a husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The purpose of a wife is to help her husband. In creation, God established a pattern for all life, male and female, however the scripture says, “…but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:20) In other words, Adam didn’t have compatibility with any other created being. Compatibility in life is necessary. Vehicles need the correct type of fuel or there will be compatibility issues. Meals need the proper ingredients or there will be compatibility issues. Your climate will dictate the type of clothing you wear or there will be compatibility issues. Computers must run compatible software and hardware. A husband must have a compatible wife. She must be his helper, not his enabler.

The New Testament church encountered a problem because the Jews were ignoring the needs of the Greeks; they weren’t providing the necessary help to those in need. When this problem was identified, it was quickly addressed and resolved (Acts 6:1-6).

There are three reasons why a husband needs his wife to be subject to him. A husband needs a wife who’ll submit because:

1. A husband needs to be honored
2. A husband needs to be wanted
3. A husband needs to be appreciated

A husband needs to be honored:

What is honor?

When the bible speaks of honor, the Hebrew word kabod, (kaw-bode’) means weight; but this is only figuratively. In a good sense, it means, splendor or copiousness:--glorious (-ly), glory, honour (-able). The Greek word timao, (tim-ah’-o) means to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, it means to revere:--honor, value. Honor comes in the form of affirmation and encouragement. A husband needs to know how his wife sees him. His view of himself has and will continue to be influenced by a woman. It begins in childhood with his mother (or nurturing caregiver), but eventually must transition to his wife (Genesis 2:24). As a young boy, I can remember experiences when I sought the affirmation of my mother that I she was pleased with what I accomplished. I also know that when young men aren’t encouraged, they can find themselves engaged in rebellious and destructive behavior. A man wants to know his wife is proud of him. From royalty, presidency, CEO, ditch digger, miner, migrant worker, sewer employee, or layoff casualty, a husband wants to know his wife is proud of him. He wants that affirmation from you his wife. When he doesn’t get it, he’ll accept it from other sources, be it alcohol, drugs, gambling, strip clubs, or other women. His need has become perverted, but it is nonetheless a need he has. A husband needs to be honored in the eyes of his wife.

A husband needs to be wanted:

What does it mean to want?

The Greek word husterema (hoos-ter’-ay-mah) means, a deficit; specifically poverty:--that which is behind, (that which was) lack (-ing), penury, want.

This need to be wanted transcends the physical and propels a husband and wife into the realm of the spirit and soul as well. It is a want that can only be satisfied by a wife's need for her husband. She needs him connected spiritually, she needs him connected intellectually, she needs him connected emotionally, and she needs him connected physically. A wife who understands her needs for her husband in these areas of her life will communicate them to her husband. Her husband translates these needs she expresses by understanding that he is wanted by his wife.

How does your husband respond when you communicate to him that you want him?

Do your words and actions ignite him with desire for you?

Here is an excerpt from Song of Solomon:

She:
“While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts. My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.”

He:
“How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.”

It is here that we see the Shulammite expresses to Solomon that she wants him. Her intent is clear because Solomon gets her message; he understands what she communicates to him. "She wants me!" The phrase, “my beloved is”, is descriptive of how the Shulammite not only views Solomon (comparatively speaking), but the attitude behind her view; she wants him. A husband needs to be wanted by his wife.

A husband needs to be appreciated:

What does it mean to appreciate?

To appreciate is, to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or significance of, to value or admire highly, to judge with heightened perception or understanding:--to be fully aware of, to recognize with gratitude, to increase the value of.

This does not imply the act of puffing up someone with false praise, or manipulating a husband to believe you see him in a way that is untrue. No, your appreciation of your husband is genuine, honest, and sincere. If you don’t have reasons to appreciate your husband, he will ultimately find that need met elsewhere.

These three needs of your husband form a building block that enables him to understand how you view him. How you view your husband is directly tied to your willingness to be subject to him.

A wife must possess these characteristics in order to be compatible with her husband, so that she will be his help. A wife cannot help her husband by enabling him solely for the purpose of changing him into the image of something she has in mind. Just as some husbands objectify their wives, some wives also objectify their husbands. We desire our wife or our husband to conform to an image in our mind of what they ought to be. A wife who is submitted to Christ understands that she may plant, she may water, but it is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). She must allow God to create in her husband a clean heart (Psalm 51:10). Just as the husband is a type of Christ in the marriage, the wife is a type of church in the marriage.

Wives are a type of church in the marriage because she ministers to the spirit, soul and body of her husband. Most Christian women and men have heard or read the description of an excellent wife (Proverbs 31:10-31). Of all the words used to describe her, the one that stands out is that her life is one of subjection; subjection to God, to her husband, and her family. This requires humility in a woman because subjection does not come naturally for husband or wife.

Father God,

You've given women such a tremdous capacity to love, it is resident in a wife, and fully expressed in her act of subjection to her husband. You reveal that the wife is a type of church, and in that role, she ministers to the spirit, soul, and body of her husband. She is subject to her husband, just as he is in turn subject to her. I'm praying Father God for those husbands and wives struggling to understand the purpose of marriage. You declare that Your people perish from a lack of knowledge. Open our eyes Lord, that we may see with a clarity of sight, mind, and commitment. I give You thanks for husbands and wives who represent Christ and His church to a world crying for truth and redemption. Bless those singles who live their lives in submission to Christ, choosing celibacy over sin. Thank You Lord for the blessings You lavish upon us, for Your love, grace and forgiveness. You are so good, righteous, and holy. We worship and adore You Lord. Thank You for Your righteous deliverance. In the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte and Ginger).

Footnotes:

1. Genesis 2:20, NASB
2. Acts 6:1-6, NASB
3. Genesis 2:24, NASB
4. Song of Solomon 1:12-15, NIV
5. 1 Corinthians 3:6, NASB
6. Psalm 51:10, NASB
7. Proverb 31:10-31, NASB

References:

1. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, By James B. Strong, S.T.D, LL.D., Riverside Book and Bible House, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
2. Unger's Bible Dictionary, By Merrill F. Unger, Moody Press, Chicago
3. The Ryrie Study Bible (New American Standard Version), Edited by Charles C. Ryrie, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, ISBN 0-8024-8920-6
4. The Amplified Bible, by The Lockman Foundation, Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, ISBN-13: 978-0310951414
5. King James Version, The Crusade Analytical Study Edition, Crusade Bible Publishers, Inc., PO Box 90011, Nashville, Tennessee 37209
6. The Message Bible, by Eugene H. Peterson, NavPress Publishing Group, Colorado Springs, CO, ISBN-13: 978-1600060250
7. New King James Version, by Nelson Bibles, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc., PO Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee, ISBN-13: 978-0840713704
8. The NIV Study Bible, Edited by Kenneth Barker, Donald Burdick, John Stek, Walter Wessel and Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, USA
9. The New Living Translation Bible, by Tyndale Charitable Trust, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, ISBN-13: 978-0842384896
10. Matthew Henry's Commentary, McDonald Publishing Company, McLean, Virginia 22101, ISBN 0-917006-21-6