Ephesians Week 13

Day 1 

READ 

Ephesians 5:21-22 

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 

Some are concerned about wives being told to “submit” to their husbands. The word “submit” is not in the original Greek language of verse 22. It is implied from what is said in verse 21—that an evidence of being filled with the Spirit is that believers should submit to each other. Rejecting what verse 22 says is really rejecting what verse 21 says. The word “submit” was a military term actually meaning “to rank under.” It did not mean one was inferior to the superior but had only to do with rank  

REFLECT 

As a Spirit-filled believer, do you have a submissive spirit toward others? Or do you tend to suggest your way is the only way? 

RESPOND 

Regarding the matter of “ranking under” someone, see 1 Corinthians 11:3. This reveals there is rank even within the Godhead. 

Day 2 

READ 

Ephesians 5:23-24 

23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. 

After mentioning the wife, Paul refers to ranking over by saying the “husband is the head of his wife.” This does not mean she is not equal in the body of Christ. Notice the comparison Paul makes: “as Christ is the head of the church.” This passage in Ephesians 5 is not so much to teach about marriage as it is to give an illustration of Christ and the Church. Those in the body of Christ—the Church—rank under Christ. The ideal Paul gives here is for husbands and wives who are believers in Jesus. Unbelievers are not expected to live in a way that honors the Lord. 

REFLECT 

Does this help you to think about Christian marriage differently as it is compared to Christ and the Church? 

RESPOND 

Read Colossians 1:17-19 that tells about Jesus being the head of the Church. With your disciple, discuss how Ephesians 5:23-24 relates to Christian marriage being an illustration of Christ and the Church. 

Day 3 

READ 

Ephesians 5:25-26 

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 

Some think Paul was too hard on the wives, but wait until he comes to the husbands in this passage. Husbands are to love their wives. The original word in the Greek text Paul used for “love” is agapē that refers more to an act of the will than to the emotions. It is to love even when there is no response. Again this is an illustration of Christ and the Church, for Jesus gave up His life for the Church. By an act of His will, the Lord Jesus gave His life for the benefit of the believers in the body of Christ. 

REFLECT 

Are you a husband? If so, do you love your wife in this way? 

RESPOND 

If your disciple is a husband, talk about this passage and how a Christian husband should have a love that seeks his wife’s highest good—even when there is no response. 

Day 4 

READ 

Ephesians 5:27-28 

27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 

Paul continues to tell why Jesus gave Himself for the Church. He wanted to present believers to Himself “without fault.” Paul wrote earlier in Ephesians 2:6 that Christ raised believers from being dead in their sins so they might be seated with Him in heavenly realms. As such, they have a perfect position with Him. Paul concludes here by saying husbands should love their wives as much as they love themselves. Jesus loves the Church—His body—as He loves Himself. 

REFLECT 

Even though believers have a perfect position with Christ in heaven, on earth they are working on being set apart to Jesus in their daily walk. How are you doing in this regard? 

RESPOND 

For believers on earth the word “holy” refers to being “set apart” to God. Read what 1 Peter 1:14-16 says about this.  

Day 5 

READ 

Ephesians 5:29-30 

29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 

Paul concludes his comments about marriage by showing he has been using it as an illustration of Christ and His body—the Church. A husband should care for his wife as Christ cares for the Church. The evidences Paul is writing about Christian marriages in that he says, “We are members of his body.” This could not be said of unbelievers. Plus, it must be remembered that Paul is referring to how being filled with the Spirit, mentioned in 5:18, is carried out in life.  

REFLECT 

Are you seeking to live in such a way that others can see Christ in you? As a believer, you are part of His body. He ranks over you because He is the head of the Church. Do all you can to please Him.  

RESPOND 

Whether your disciple is married or single, talk about what Christian marriage is to be like. A godly marriage will be the greatest influence on children and a testimony to others that the relationship is a picture of Christ and the Church.