Spirit Filled Wives and Husbands (Eph. 5:22-33)
We are going to break this passage down into 2 articles. The first one will be about “Spirit Filled Wives,” from Eph. 5:22-24 and the second one about “Spirit Filled Husbands,” from Eph. 5:25-33). There’s a chance I might further break down the article on husbands. First of all, let me tell you that I have never been married. This article will be an introductory one.
There is a need for the Holy Spirit’s work in marriage. In verse 31-33, Paul closes with a few important summary statements on the mystery of marriage. What is the biblical idea of marriage?
John W. Stott summarizes it well: “Marriage is an exclusive heterosexual covenant between one man and one woman, ordained and sealed by God, preceded by the leaving of parents, consummated in sexual union, issuing in a permanent mutually supportive partnership, and normally crowned with the gift of children.”
Marriage in this life is but a shadow of the ultimate marriage of Christ and His bride, as Paul so aptly illustrates in our text. Further, in our text, Paul touches on the responsibilities of husbands and wives. He gives an amazing analogy of Christ and the. church.
Larry Miles is Co-Editor of Word & Work and attends Cherry St. Church of Christ in New Albany, IN.