THE RELATIONSHIP OF LOVE - 5:22-26
Earnestness is giving.
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
The love of Christ for His church is now addressed in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians!
Such “love” speaks of God’s genuine or true concern and commitment to our well-being. As our Creator and in light of mankind’s regrettable choice and the “fall” into sinfulness - our rebellion and our sinful nature - places us outside the blessed relationship God would have for us! God’s response is to go into action on our part!
The fact is, before the foundation of the world itself, God knew we would make this disastrous choice and from before time planned our return to Him. This return to a right relationship - this reconciliation would be provided in such a way that the righteousness and justice of God would not be compromised. God would provide Himself an atonement for our sin - He would lower Himself - condescending to come in the form of human flesh - and as both truly God and truly man - He would voluntarily offer His sinless life to pay the penalty for our sin! This is a “love story” like no other! Such gracious and merciful - and fully undeserved love was given to us by Jesus Christ with the goal of returning us to a joyous relationship with our Creator - our God, Three in One (in His triunity).
Once we come to the Lord by faith and accept Him as our Redeemer or Savior and Lord we experience regeneration by the Spirit of God and in the newness of Life - as Born Again believers we learn to love as God first loved us! This new Godlike love, is clearly explained in Philippians 2:1-5 and in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as the special spiritual attitude of one believer toward another believer! This new spiritual love (agape) is intended as our new “norm” for living-out our day-to-day human relationships.
It is important to remember that the teaching and truth found in verses 1-21 in chapter five are provided as preparation for this section. Before submission can be a reality one must learn to be an “imitator” of God (v.1); one who “walks in love” (v.2); no immorality (v.3); no rebellion(v.6); but, walking as children of light (v.8); pleasing the Lord (v.10). Then by carefully walking, using our time wisely, understanding the will of the Lord, being ‘controlled‘ by the Spirit and singing and making melody in our hearts with thankfulness ... we can prepare ourselves for living out our lives and enjoying our earthly relationships through lives lived on the basis of Christlike love!
This new Christlike love, simply defined, is: preferring the good of others over one’s own interests. Love is also to be spiritually viewed from the ‘vantage point’ of its deep inherent ‘patience’ and its abiding ‘hope’. Such Christlike love is especially patient in regard to the trials and the tests that come into the Christian’s life relationships.
Our Heavenly Father uses the analogy of the marriage of Christians in this instance to give us a picture or even ‘a sample or suggestion of something that lies ahead ’ in our future heavenly relationship - something that we, as genuine believers, will enjoy with Christ, Jesus, our spiritual “bridegroom” ... our soon coming Lord and Saviour. This selfless “love” or commitment to ‘the good of another’ ... is something expected naturally within and rightful intended for those committed to the confines of marriage! Such genuine ‘love’ (a relationship within the plan and will of God - i.e., ‘marriage’) is best defined as the selfless and earnest ‘appreciation’ for our spouse!
Then, to the degree that, we have this sincere Christlike attitude (or ‘thoughtful’ spirit) combined with honest commitment to action, we will be found truly desiring to ‘reach-out’ to the other’s needs. In this “caring-for” relationship we communicate to our spouse the “love” we have for him or her. Love, then (in this spiritual sense), is understood as genuinely ‘earnest’ or showing sincerity! Of course their are other definitions of “love” - some deal with one’s emotions, or feelings and others extend to the physical aspects of a relationship. In these Scriptures, though, the Ephesians are being challenged with a view of love that is centered in the Divine essence of the Godhead, its nature and its character. We can learn, so much in this section, so much that can bring joy and peace to our lives and our relationships.
THE LIFESTYLE LIVED “AS TO THE LORD.” (22-24)
In music, Harmony is defined as: “the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect • the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole - a blending in harmony, or an agreement or concord. Spiritually Paul is redefining harmony in light of the new life in Christ and the new walk in Christ!
Now, Paul is unfolding this higher understanding of human relationships that find their source and strength in Christ Jesus, as one;s personal Savior and Lord. This new relationship refers to true Christian Brotherhood. To illustrate the harmony of the body and bride of Christ - the assembly of believers the concept of betrothal now unfolds in the imagery and lessons of the Christian’s marriage relationships.
Paul the Apostle has provided an amazing amount of information on spiritual “accord” or “harmony” in the Christian’s brotherly relationships. The old animosities and flames of discrimination between Jew and Gentile, Male and Female and Bond and Free were to be extinguished where possible, diverted, truly modified into a spiritually higher and socially more acceptable attitude or activity!
The key truths around the theme of harmony that received special focus in the letter to the Ephesians were: unity, oneness and love! Harmony in the writing of his letter to the Ephesians also found further expression in the concept of subjection: “to submit,” “to be in submission” & “to adapt to.”
One could assume that this emphasis on harmony as unity, oneness and love, along with its practical application expressed by our being “subject to others” was being emphasised since Paul, (so inspired by the Spirit of God,) sought to encourage the believer to take “the high ground” of personal responsibility! For the believer to chose, to abandon (or rather to reject) the inclinations of one’s own sinful nature and its inclinations is all truly and quite necessary from God’s own perspective!
This call to a new lifestyle (a holy or separate or consecrated life) was especially called for (i.e. truly the will of God) in light of the ‘mystery message’ Paul was commissioned to give and explain - this ‘Mystery’ was the Lord’s message regarding the purpose and plan for a newly created and newly revealed body of believers - the assembly (ekklesia) of believers - the commonly referred to “local church.”
There would now - in this Dispensation of Grace - be a new body through which God would be glorified - a body of believers, baptised and gathered in worshipful fellowship under the leadership of pastors and deacons and in submission to one another. As promised, Israel would return to Faith in Christ and repent of their sin but this would only come during the Great Tribulation - a period that would follow the Dispensation of Grace. Until the church was Raptured home to be with the Lord, and the ‘Times of the Gentiles’ be fulfilled - this Age of Grace would offer salvation to all - Jew or Gentile, Male or Female, Bond or Free - all the same - individually - personally and freely
The Church of Jesus Christ was to be known for its love and unity - a oneness - first, to be enjoyed as the betrothed and prepared one - set apart to and for eternal spiritual oneness with Christ Jesus and then, of course, as the gathered “bride” of Christ! Paul focused on the “bride’s” salvation, spiritual unity and love, sanctification and separation from sin before calling the bride to live in submission.
The life lived as subject to (or in submission to) Christ is a life lived in subjection to or as a bondslave of Christ! Such a life is lived in obedience to the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures! Such a life is lived in submission to the influence or is under the control of the Spirit of God!
Such a life is portrayed and pictured through the Christian Marriage as an example is outlined in these verses! Wives are not just called to do something in isolation or just in a limited relationship with their spouse but rather they are to see the larger picture - the purpose of marriage is to demonstrate, teach, show and encourage us in our faith and walk with Christ.
Marriage is God’s will for the all couples in the world - saved and unsaved alike - because this is how He planned and created this world to be, to act and to operate. But the Christian Marriage - is the marriage where the two persons are both born again Christians and they are both committed to live-out their lives in a Christlike way and to the honour of Christ’s Name as their Savior and Lord and to the general glory of God in the world.
We are to be an encouragement - a witness - a testimony to one another - wives to husbands, husbands to wives, parents to children, families to other Christian families and all of us a living manifestation or demonstration of God’s grace to the lost world around us!
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PASTORS ARE TO SET THE EXAMPLE
Peter explains a quite similar theme to pastors in 1 Peter 5:1-3, i.e., that the are to under-shepherd the church by tending, nurturing, guarding and guiding the flock ...verse 2 - with a “cheerful spirit.”
In verse 3 “Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).”
The pastor, as such - being the under-shepherd of Christ the “Chief Shepherd” is the example and role model demonstrating for every Christian husband what it means to be “the head of” God’s flock - in the case of the husband then ... His own wife.
Then too, the pastor is also commissioned with being a demonstration for every Christian wife what it means to be “subject to Christ” and thus to be subject in the same sense to those matters of the family where the husband is given responsibility.
It is important, then, that we all remind ourselves that all that we do - all that we say - all that we think and act upon ... our choices and decisions are testimonies - or should be - of God’s grace, love and truth! We are, then, clearly expected to live our lives in a transparent, honest and open way. We are not to be living one way at church and another way at home and yet another way at work, etc.
We are living in reality in a “house with glass walls” for all to see and all to hear ... who we are and what we are.. we are to be manifesting the truth before the consciences of each other, our children, our families and our friends and co-workers ... all men ( 2 Corinthians 4:2b)
THE LIFESTYLE LIVED ACCORDING TO THE WORD. (25-26)
Ephesians 5:25 outlines the selfless love of our Savior as attitudes founded in His own nature. Our love is to be founded in our new regenerated born again and renewed New Man. This New Man’s walk in the Spirit is the walk of one who has received the atonement, been justified and adopted. Our love is His love operative in and through us. We are to love our wives as Christ loved the church and freely give ourselves for their good, blessing and betterment. We are to recognise our marital role as a picture of His Redeeming Role. We are to “serve the imaginations” of our wives, children and brethren as we provide their “imaginations” with the very image of Christ. We are to portray Him!
As Christ gave and cleansed us all - all who have believed in Christ for their eternal salvation - He has cleansed us - prepared us and set us apart (See: Our Savior’s Prayer. John 17:17 and 1 Peter 1:21) We, then, like our Savior are called to the use of the Word of God in our relationships. We are to obey the Word ( 1 Peter 3:1,7-9) of God in practical terms and ways! We are to allow the Word of God freedom (or free course) in our lives - our thoughts and decisions, choices - and actions!
The Spirit of God operates through the Word of God in our inner man and those who submit to Him submit to His Word and those that submit to the Word find themselves in submission to and under the control of the Spirit of God.
Our marriages - our relationships - communications and daily lives are to reflect these truths. Granted, we are in a growing process and no one person, no couple can see themselves - as “Having arrived!” Yet, this is no excuse - we are to be faithful and use the grace available to us with the faith given us! (2 Cor 12:9 and Romans 12:3-4) .
Ephesians 5:27
the church ... in glorious splendor,
OUR PRESENTATION IN PURITY - 5:27-32 AS HIS GLORIOUS BRIDE.
Expectation must not be 'dampened."
1 THE PRESENTATION IN ALL GLORY (27)
2 THE BRIDE LOVED WITH UNLIMITED LOVE. (28-30)
3 THE MYSTERY OF “MUTUALLY COMMITTED” LOVE. (31-32)
THE PRESENTATION IN PURITY: The very thought of the believer being the “bride” - the ones chosen to come out of the world system as a witness of Christ to the world - of being those that are gathering together in this and that place as a witness is a most amazing thought! How could we, who are nothing more than sinners - saved by the grace of God - having nothing ourselves to offer God, now become something of “glory” or praise to the name of God - both here on earth and at His coming? How can such a wonderful and amazing opportunity ever take place? How can we be changed so radically from mere and obvious sinners to a glorious bride?
Ephesians 5:27
The church (the assembly / ‘ekklesia’)
First, we must not forget the role and place of the Word of God as seen in our previous studies from verses 23-26.
Second, we must remember matters such as “subjection” (22,24); Christ’s federal headship as the second Adam our reconciler, the redeeming role, work and ministry of His atoning and saving sacrifice on the cross(23), His selfless love (25) and His setting us apart (sanctifying) and cleansing work “with the washing of the water by the word.” (26) ... all of these factors are central or vital to our becoming regenerated new creations in Christ.
HIS GLORIOUS BRIDE.
The very expectation, possibility or potentiality of such a glorious salvation brings “awe” or amazement to us all! A sense and spirit of expectation in relation to being the glorious “bride” of Christ cannot be overlooked! Like any bride there will be the natural excitement and feelings of joy as a part of the expectation that goes with marriage, but this story has a much deeper message of wonderful spiritual and eternal potential for those who read it careful and understand it well!
This is the deeply spiritual ‘story of change,’ the change and process of changes in setting the bride apart from the slavery to sinfulness to the gloriousness freedom available through the New Covenant and the agency of the very Spirit of God. This ‘story’ pictures the reality of expectation in the light of real life change, change that takes place in the heart, or inner life and the outward lifestyle of the bride, you and I born-again believers progressively being spiritually, morally and ethically formed into the image of Jesus Christ. The Biblical Christian, (i.e. that Christian who goes beyond believing in the Bible in a general sort of way, but rather studies God’s Word, as well) is one who increasing becomes aware of the increasing nearness of the event (the arrival of “that day”) when her redemption, her salvation, her new eternal relationship with Christ will be final and totally fulfilled.
The excitement of expectation... continues to build toward an increased crescendo as we come, that is, nearer to THAT DAY! His coming is clearly taught as something - where the timing is that which only the Father’s knows, but we are told throughout the New Testament to consider it (or view the matter) as truly imminent ... about to happen! The story of Dwight L Moody asking his ministry’s “Board of Directors” if they thought it would be today? All showed hesitancy or being a bit cautious - not wanting to demonstrate some sort of cultic irresponsibility. Then Dr. Moody quoted: Acts 1:7. The New Testament’s teaching regarding the role and the purpose of the church includes the church keeping everyone’s heart - i.e. their spiritual eyes (if you will), truly focused on the return of their Savior to meet them - imminently - in the air!
THE PRESENTATION IN ALL GLORY (27)
THE BRIDE LOVED WITH UNLIMITED LOVE. (28-30)
Dr. Kenneth Wuest makes a most useful contribution at this point. He states: “Christ and husband are each head, as Paul as has already put it, and as the Church is the body in relation to the former, so is the wife in relation to the latter. The husband, the head, therefore is to love the wife as being his body, even as Christ loved the church as forming his body. The fact that Christ loved the church means that though God, the Father, loved the World (John 3:16) enough to send His own Son to provide the atonement for the World’s sin, this love of Christ (for the church) may well be understood as His love or concern for the good - the end of the church at and on the day of His visitation,
The idea of husband and wife as being one flesh is probably also in view. “He that loveth his own wife loveth himself.” The relation of the head and body means that the wife is part of the husbands self. To love his wife, therefore, in this character as being his body, is to love himself. It is a love consequently, not merely of duty - but of nature.”
5:30 “Because members (in the emphatic position) we are” ... ‘of his body.” (The literal Greek sentence structure) The bride is not just incidentally related to Christ but is betrothed to be “married” to or to enter into a real thought spiritual union with Christ in eternity- something that is clearly related to fully and gloriously receiving the end of our salvation. 1 Peter 2:9 “[At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
THE MYSTERY OF “MUTUALLY COMMITTED” LOVE. (31-32)
Marriage is the coming to be of a couple in or into “one flesh” and this mystery is profound or great since it refers to the total and mutual commitment of selflessness by both parties. The husband, as we have already seen is giving himself - his all for the good of his wife and the wife is giving herself by showing submission to her husband thus guaranteeing the genuineness of the mutual commitment - this according to 1 Peter 3:6 she does by trusting or committing the outcome of her life to God, as did Christ ( 1 Peter 2:23). This is not a 50% / 50% “partnership” but a 100% commitment of both to the good of each other to God’s glory!
But this Mystery is profound ... and our marriages ( as important and beautiful as they truly are), are in this context little more than an illustration or a similitude of a far more important unity - the unity of the Spirit found in those who make-up Christ’s bride and the oneness between the Bridegroom and the Bride - the believers down though time who through their relationship with Christ - in Christ have submitted to God and one another by coming out of the world and publicly assembling themselves together to glorify the name of Christ.
This “bride” is formed, then, from those ...
1. who have been redeemed (bought out of slavery) and “spoken for” & “betrothed” by the bridegroom:
2. who are especially recognisable by their ‘coming together‘ submission to the Spirit of God (5:18)
3. who in a voluntary mutual submission have come-out from the world to serve Christ’s will and glory as the “assembly” of born-again believers;
4. who are baptised as a testimony of their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ;
5. who truly submit to the Word of God, and to the discipline of the body and the care of their pastors;
6. who honestly worship in oneness of heart, edify one another and give themselves to give the gospel - the God News of Salvation in Christ alone to the unbelieving world around them.
7. who carefully, sees that “each one” loves his wife as himself / as Expositors explains: 33 let each one of you love his wife as himself, “he is to love her as being herself part and parcel of himself according to the divine idea of the marriage union.”
and who truly treats her husband with deference (or out out of respect for; in consideration of..) the will of God and the fact that she can trust the Lord’s will, His grace and His plan ...33 ... and let the wife see that she respects her husband. ESV
In so doing we honour our God, bless our marriages and focus our families and friends on the truth of Christ - the Bridegroom’s faithfulness and love for His Bride both now and in - all eternity.
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