Reading: Roles in the Marriage Relationship by Brian DeCook

Roles in the Marriage Relationship

The Wife - Submission/Respect in the Marriage Relationship

Scripture references: Eph 5:21-24; 1 Cor. 7:14; John 15:5

1.         The church, as the Body of Christ, is to submit to Jesus Christ just as Jesus Christ submitted to the Father during His earthly ministry. Out of reverence for Jesus Christ, members of the body are called to submit to one another. Eph. 5:21

2.         In the marriage relationship, the husband represents Jesus Christ and the wife represents the church.

3.         The wife's path of blessing is to submit to and respect her husband out of reverence for Jesus Christ (as unto the Lord), not because her husband is worthy or deserving of such respect. Eph. 5:22-24

4.         Even when a husband is an unbeliever, or is living like an unbeliever, The Lord uses the godly wife's submission to bless and sanctify the husband and the family. 1 Cor. 7:14

5.         Submission is not natural, the power for a wife to walk in submission is found by abiding in Jesus Christ. John 15:5

The Husband - Love in the Marriage Relationship

Scripture references: Eph. 5:25-27; Eph 5:33 1 Cor. 7:14; John 15:5

1.         The husband's path of blessing is to love his wife as Jesus Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Eph 5:25-27

2.         In addition to loving his wife as Christ loves the church, the husband is called to love his wife as he loves himself. Eph. 5:33

3.         We do not deserve the love God has given us in Jesus Christ - it is the husband's privilege to love his wife with the same type of love - even when she does not deserve it.

4.         Even when a wife is an unbeliever, or is living like an unbeliever, the Lord uses the godly husband's love to bless and sanctify the wife and the family. 1 Cor. 7:14

5.         This kind of love is not natural, the power for a husband to walk in love toward his wife is found by abiding in Jesus Christ. John 15:5