Quote:
Originally Posted by John
In what follows, I will provide my view of the meaning of the verses that Terry asks about in post #1, as well as the surrounding verses for context. Another bad habit that Witness Lee taught us was to focus on particular verses without regard for the context.
So, guys, here’s another thing to contemplate: If you think that you are in a military-like marriage, a la Witness Lee’s Local Church marines, then maybe you can go with the military use of the word, issue orders to your wife, and expect her to obey your orders or suffer the consequences. No, no, no—I hope you don’t do that! Again, it should be a voluntary attitude that she displays, no different than what you might expect from a Christian brother if you asked him to cooperate with you in some way.
If you want to take the position that “undersetted” in verse 22 should be understood in the military sense of the word and that your wife must obey your every directive, then you must be willing, according to verse 21, to obey every directive that comes your way in the body of Christ, from either male or female, older or younger, etc., that is, if you want to apply the Bible consistently.
So, to love our wives is to be willing to die for them. For many brothers, I would think, to put your physical life on the line for your wife would be relatively easy. But what about the psychological and emotional part of your being? When you’re busy and she asks you to perform one of your responsibilities, like taking out the trash, what then? Does it become a slow and painful death?
So, brothers, let's allow our wives to follow the Lord and don’t expect that they will obey us. Leave the submission, subjection, respect, etc. up to them as they are being under-set. We need their help more than we know, which is why Eve came on the scene in the first place. Let's nurture our wives as best we can and focus on our submission to the Lord. He will take care of the rest.
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So much said and well said John. Speak about context. I have been told the samething by a former lc elder in my geographic region. How usage of verses have been taken out of context. For example 1 Corinthians 14:26. Taken out of context from the rest of 1 Corinthians 14. That's just one example.
Loving our wives, that we would physically die for them. Most brothers would say they would, realizing having to follow through is extremely unlikely. How about psychologically or emotionally?
How about the brother married to a criticizing sister? Isn't he dying for her emotionally daily?
What about the brother whose wife gets upset with him, not for what he did, but for what he didn't do? He's dying for her psychologically. For most men (believers or non-believers), the fleshly reaction is reciprocation. To respond would only intensify the matter. I have learned it's better not to say anything. It's my own cross to bear. I am faithful God would convict my wife's conscience when her words or actions have been uncalled for.
John mentioned taking out the trash. In my own experience which I'll ask brothers reading this post, what about when your wife asks you to scrub the toilets inside and out? Do you voluntarily submit out of love to your wife? Or is that too much to bear and you respond and infer that's a sister's duty?