Sabbath: Husbands and Wives ~ Together at the Cross

Image © Pacific Press

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 5:21-33; Philippians 2:3-4; Ezekiel 16:1-14; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4; Genesis 2:15-25.

Memory Text: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27, NKJV).

In Ephesians 5:21-33, Paul builds on the idea of the submission of believers to each other (Ephesians 5:21); he then offers counsel to Christian wives (Ephesians 5:22-24) and husbands (Ephesians 5:25-32); and he concludes with a distillation of the instruction to both (Ephesians 5:33).

In this counsel, Bible students today may hear the risen Christ addressing our relationships. We are positioned to do so when we understand Ephesians 5:21-6:9 as Paul’s way of actualizing the great theme of the letter, unity, but now for the Christian household. While he offers a strong critique of the flawed social structures of the old humanity (see Ephesians 4:22), he also celebrates the creation of a new humanity (see Ephesians 2:15) embedded within the wider humanity with its flawed social structures. From within these structures, believers demonstrate that a new power, the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22; Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 5:18-21; Ephesians 6:17-18) and a new ethic patterned on Christ (Ephesians 4:13, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 4:20-24, Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:10, Ephesians 5:17, Ephesians 5:21-33) have been unleashed, which point toward the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for His people and the world.

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 2.

Sunday–>

Print/PDF/Email

(15)

The elephant in the room in the lesson this week is the role of husbands and wives. It is used as an illustration of the relationship between Christ and the Church and by inference includes us as individuals. In my research into this passage, I asked one of my Artificial Intelligence helpers for a couple of reflections on this passage. Note I am passing these on for us to pause and do our own reflection rather than judging the comments as right or wrong.

Liberal Interpretation:
A liberal interpretation of Ephesians 5:20-33 tends to emphasize the equality and mutuality between spouses. It highlights that both partners have an equal role in the relationship and that the passage should be understood in the context of its time, which was more patriarchal. This interpretation may downplay the hierarchical aspects and stress the call for husbands and wives to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).

In this view, the concept of submission is seen as a mutual submission, where both partners respect and defer to each other's strengths and insights. The liberal interpretation may also emphasize the importance of healthy communication and shared decision-making within the marital relationship. The idea of Christ's sacrificial love is often highlighted as a model for both partners, promoting a cooperative and collaborative partnership in marriage.

Conservative Interpretation:
A conservative interpretation of Ephesians 5:20-33 tends to place a stronger emphasis on traditional gender roles and hierarchy within marriage. It might view the passage as upholding the husband's role as the head of the household, reflecting Christ's authority over the Church. The wife's submission is often seen as a response to the husband's leadership, aligning with biblical teachings on gender roles.

Conservative interpretations may emphasize the concept of submission as respectful deference to the husband's leadership, without necessarily implying inferiority. The passage's reference to Christ's relationship with the Church is often used to underscore the sacredness and distinct roles within marriage, with the husband as the spiritual leader and the wife as the supportive partner.

Summary
While both liberal and conservative interpretations of Ephesians 5:20-33 emphasize the importance of love, respect, and mutual submission, they differ in their emphasis on gender roles and hierarchy within marriage. A liberal interpretation tends to promote greater equality and mutuality, while a conservative interpretation emphasizes traditional roles and hierarchy based on biblical teachings.

(38)

Reply ↓

Comments

Sabbath: Husbands and Wives ~ Together at the Cross — 5 Comments

Gift Mawoyo on August 25, 2023 at 9:30 am said:

This week we will understand that marriage is a relationship of love and also what entails submission and headship in the context of marriage.We will understand the meaning of Christian marriage,which is a divine institution.

Our marriages are to be significantly different from those of unbelievers.Our marriages are to be selfless.

(21)

Reply ↓
Maurice Ashton on August 25, 2023 at 2:34 pm said:

I'm camping this weekend and because of the change in location, I am submitting to Carmel's request for a different timetable. That's the sort of thing you do in a marriage. Hopefully, I will have time later today to do my paraphrase thing.

(14)

Reply ↓
Maurice Ashton on August 25, 2023 at 4:20 pm said:

The elephant in the room in the lesson this week is the role of husbands and wives. It is used as an illustration of the relationship between Christ and the Church and by inference includes us as individuals. In my research into this passage, I asked one of my Artificial Intelligence helpers for a couple of reflections on this passage. Note I am passing these on for us to pause and do our own reflection rather than judging the comments as right or wrong.

Liberal Interpretation:
A liberal interpretation of Ephesians 5:20-33 tends to emphasize the equality and mutuality between spouses. It highlights that both partners have an equal role in the relationship and that the passage should be understood in the context of its time, which was more patriarchal. This interpretation may downplay the hierarchical aspects and stress the call for husbands and wives to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).

In this view, the concept of submission is seen as a mutual submission, where both partners respect and defer to each other's strengths and insights. The liberal interpretation may also emphasize the importance of healthy communication and shared decision-making within the marital relationship. The idea of Christ's sacrificial love is often highlighted as a model for both partners, promoting a cooperative and collaborative partnership in marriage.

Conservative Interpretation:
A conservative interpretation of Ephesians 5:20-33 tends to place a stronger emphasis on traditional gender roles and hierarchy within marriage. It might view the passage as upholding the husband's role as the head of the household, reflecting Christ's authority over the Church. The wife's submission is often seen as a response to the husband's leadership, aligning with biblical teachings on gender roles.

Conservative interpretations may emphasize the concept of submission as respectful deference to the husband's leadership, without necessarily implying inferiority. The passage's reference to Christ's relationship with the Church is often used to underscore the sacredness and distinct roles within marriage, with the husband as the spiritual leader and the wife as the supportive partner.

Summary
While both liberal and conservative interpretations of Ephesians 5:20-33 emphasize the importance of love, respect, and mutual submission, they differ in their emphasis on gender roles and hierarchy within marriage. A liberal interpretation tends to promote greater equality and mutuality, while a conservative interpretation emphasizes traditional roles and hierarchy based on biblical teachings.

(38)

Reply ↓
- Melusi Ndhlovu on August 27, 2023 at 11:24 am said:
  
  After 20 years of marriage to my wife Jessie, I lean towards the liberal approach.
  
  (6)
  
  Reply ↓
ALLAN KHONJE on August 30, 2023 at 3:00 am said:

Both thoughts are correct. However we should look at the conservative method as how we relate ourselves to our Lord. we need total submission to Jesus. He died for us and paid for our sins. For the sake of our salvation we need to submit fully to him.

(3)

Reply ↓

Sabbath School Net

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Study Discussion

Sabbath: Husbands and Wives ~ Together at the Cross

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 5:21-33; Philippians 2:3-4; Ezekiel 16:1-14; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4; Genesis 2:15-25.

Comments

Sabbath: Husbands and Wives ~ Together at the Cross — 5 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply