Marriage

God's design and calling for you as a wife
This material appears courtesy of Covenant Keepers

In light of these verses, accusing the apostles of male chauvinism is simply ridiculous. There is no second-class citizenship in the kingdom of God, and neither is a wife inferior to her husband. Consider also the example of Christ. Paul the Apostle declared that Jesus was "equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant...humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death" (Phil. 2:6-8). Jesus obviously did not consider submission to the Father's will as a position of lesser value, and neither should you as you submit to your husband. You can be equal to your husband and in submission to him at the same time. In addition, submission does not mean that you must be your husband's personal slave. You can't be an equal heir with your husband and be a slave at the same time! Yes, Scripture does teach that all Christians are to "by love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). But, notice this passage says to serve one another. A truly biblical marriage is revealed when both husband and wife willingly serve each other without being commanded or forced. Love doesn't force but willingly gives. Jesus didn't call His disciples slaves, He called them "friends" (John 15:15), and this is the relationship you should have with your spouse. Friends don't command or force one another to give unquestioned obedience. There are always limits to your submission. Paul taught wives to submit only "as is fitting in the Lord" (Col. 3:18). It is not fitting for your husband to command you as his servant in an unloving way. Nor should you ever submit to a request by your husband to sin or violate God's Word. In these cases you "ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Now lets look at what submission does mean. Submission is first an attitude of love, respect, and gentleness in the way you speak and act toward your husband. You should also expect to receive this attitude of love and respect from him. Notice Paul's final encouragement to husbands and wives in Ephesians chapter five. He encourages both partners to loving submission when he said, "...let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband" (vs. 33). When you demonstrate love and respect toward your spouse in this manner, you comprehend the essence of what submission is all about.

• Be a helper
  
• Be a virtuous wife
  
• Be a prudent wife
  
• Be a submissive wife
  
• Be a companion