Ephesians 5:22-24

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Terry

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.

What do these verses mean practically for married couples?

Better ask the sisters about these verses, now is the time for them to teach us.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Better ask the sisters about these verses, now is the time for them to teach us.

Yes! I would like to receive from our sisters. Especially concerning these two verses.

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Terry

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.

What do these verses mean practically for married couples?

First of all it helps to realize that we are all fallen and broken people living in a fallen and broken world. One day God will “make all things new”. Not only will we be fully redeemed, the world around us will be redeemed as well. Then will come the ultimate redemption of our surroundings – “A new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Rev 21:1) For right now we must deal with the first earth. Really and truly we are people of this first earth. All of our human relationships, including (if not especially) our relationship with our spouse must be considered in the light of this reality.

So two fallen, broken people come together. Hopefully they are two saved believers – but we must remember that we are still fallen and broken, still living in a fallen and broken world. I think the answer to your question lies in seeing how Christ interacted with his followers while he among us in flesh and blood. Though He was not fallen or broken, we are still called to be like Him, even if it is a kind of “imitation”.

To me the most important part of this verse is “As Christ also”. As Christ also what? How did Christ treat his earliest followers, who, after all, were the first church. How did he speak with them? How did he interact with them? How did he love them? How did he protect them? How did he provide for them? How did he teach them? The answer to all these questions can be found in the gospels. It’s all recorded for us to read and learn from. And all of this was recorded while Christ was here on the first earth, dealing with and interacting with fallen and broken people, just like us.

As husbands, we are called to take the initiative – to love and to serve and to provide, just as Christ did when he was here with us. If we do this, albeit as best we can in this fallen and broken world, the wives will be “subject” (so to speak) to our loving and serving and providing. Why wouldn’t they? Even if they are just doing it in self interest (remember they are fallen and broken too) it will all be honored and blessed by God, just as God honors and blesses the husband’s loving and serving and providing.

In retrospect we now know that Witness Lee did not teach a biblical, healthy view of human relationships – and marriage certainly tops the list here. He over-spiritualized some aspects of marriage and grossly under-appreciated others. No doubt some of this comes from Lee’s bent towards the Chinese culture (though he vehemently denied such) Nevertheless, all we have to do is look at the fruit. Now, thanks to the Internet and forums like this one, we know that the Local Churches did not prove to be very fertile ground for healthy marriages – in fact it seems to have been quite the opposite.

Many of us found out tout de suite (that would be right quick for ya’ll) that going to 3 or 4 meetings a week, doing “morning watch” every morning at 6am and calling “oh Lord Jesus” all day was not conducive to growing a happy, healthy marriage. Of course growing happy, healthy marriages was not a priority in the “church life”, but it should have been. Why? Marriages and family are the building blocks of the church. Why do you think Satan has done his best to destroy the family in modern society? If there are no families there is no church, and if there is no church – well you get the rest of the story.

Ok, sorry Terry I’m wondering (UntoHim wonder, say it ain’t so!) Husbands, let us imitate Christ and then I guarantee you that we will find our wives subjecting themselves as the church is subject to Christ. It’s amazing how it all comes together – just like the Word says.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Many of us found out tout de suite (that would be right quick for ya’ll) that going to 3 or 4 meetings a week, doing “morning watch” every morning at 6am and calling “oh Lord Jesus” all day was not conducive to growing a happy, healthy marriage. Of course growing happy, healthy marriages was not a priority in the “church life”, but it should have been. Why? Marriages and family are the building blocks of the church. Why do you think Satan has done his best to destroy the family in modern society? If there are no families there is no church, and if there is no church – well you get the rest of the story.

There was something that came between the relationship of husband and wife. In Your post untohim is the outward expression from a brothers point of view. What did sisters think while their husbands spend some many evenings a week away from home. Neglected? Taken for granted?

Verse 25 says, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Based on your post UntoHim, I generally believe brothers do love their wives. Their actions suggest as much as they love their wives, love for the ministry supercedes their love for their wife. As Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, would husbands give up their love of the ministry for their wife?

How many marriages disintegrated not because of infidelity, another unmentionable sin, but over preference of ministry. This is that something that came between the marriage covenant.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Terry

Their actions suggest as much as they love their wives, love for the ministry supersedes their love for their wife.

The LRC program, for many brothers, went to the very core of their own identity as people. Though they may truly love their wives and families, that marriage and family may not define who they are. The attachment they feel for the ministry and the church may actually supersede their attachment to their wife. I witnessed many brothers who were often encouraged just to do the minimal necessary to keep their wives "contented."

Originally Posted by Terry

How many marriages disintegrated not because of infidelity, another unmentionable sin, but over preference of ministry. This is that something that came between the marriage covenant.

Let's reword this question another way, one I have considered before. How many brothers (or sisters) in the church, perhaps without even consciously considering it, actually sought out affections from another woman (or man,) who was not their spouse, as a part of a total exit strategy?

Our pitiful flesh, when confined by the chains of religion traditions and legalistic regulations will often seek freedom, regardless of the consequences. The power of fear only works so long.