Marriage Instructions

Sermon Introduction

Paul wrote the Ephesian church about God’s plan to save people, by grace through faith, and not of works. He explained that the Gentiles and Jews form the church of Christ. And they are one body and should not be divided. He urged them to walk wisely and make the most of every opportunity for the gospel. Paul warned them not to get drunk but be filled with the Holy Spirit. He would then discuss the role of husband and wife, but he would also discuss the relationship between Christ and His church.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Ephesians 5:22-33

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Notes

Paul wrote the Ephesian church about God’s plan to save people, by grace through faith, and not of works. He explained that the Gentiles and Jews form the church of Christ. And they are one body and should not be divided. He urged them to walk wisely and make the most of every opportunity for the gospel. Paul warned them not to get drunk but be filled with the Holy Spirit. He would then discuss the role of husband and wife, but he would also discuss the relationship between Christ and His church.

1. Wives submit

   Wives should submit to their husbands as to the Lord because God has set the husband as head of the wife. The illustration is Christ is the head of the church, His body. Thus, the wife should submit as to the Lord.
   
   22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24).
   
   

2. Husbands love

   Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church, which is a sacrificial love. Christ’s love, through the word, cleansed the church and prepared her. The purpose is to have a bride that is holy and blameless.
   
   25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27).
   
   28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who

   loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes

   and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his

   body (Ephesians 5:28-30).
   

3. God’s design

   Paul quotes Genesis about a man leaving his parents so he could be joined to his wife. Then he concludes his discourse with a reminder for husbands to love their wives, and the wife should respect the husband.
   
   31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,

   and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying

   that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife

   as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Ephesians 5:31-33).
   
   

Application

1. Follow God’s design

   Therefore, let us follow the divine design for marriage. Scripture clarifies God’s design for marriage; however, the application is not so simple. One obstacle is our weaknesses: submission for women and the loving part for men.
   
   

2. Married people, apply God’s design

   Yet by the grace of God, we will grow and learn daily. Married people should submit to Christ and follow Biblical instructions. Regardless of the challenge for some, believing couples should persist in humility to fulfill His design.
   
   

3. Single people, choose wisely

   For singles praying to get married, take heed of the divine design. Single ladies do not marry a man who does not understand how Christ loves the church. So likewise, single gentlemen do not marry a woman who will not submit as to the Lord.
   
   

4. Church community, keep growing

   For some people, this is hands-off from everyone. However, it cannot be hands-off in a church community seeking to mature in Christ. We are to remind each other to follow God’s design for marriage because healthy marriages may lead to healthy families. And strong Christian families lead to a healthier church.

   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What is expected of the wife based on the text?

2. What is expected of the husband based on the text?

3. How then should we apply this in our present context?