EPHESIANS 5:22–24
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church
(Eph. 5:23).
Paul teaches in Ephesians 5 that the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the church. This command to the husband is non-negotiable. It does not change from nation to nation or from age to age. The headship of the husband in the marriage is rooted in nature and established by the commands of God Himself. It is also rooted in the very nature of marriage as the symbol of our union with Christ.
Christ is the King of the church. He governs, provides, protects, and pardons. He sets absolute rules and enforces them by His power and His divine right. He provides everything that is necessary for the spiritual and physical welfare of His people. Jesus reminds us of this fact in the Sermon on the Mount when He exhorts His followers to seek after the kingdom of God and all its righteousness, then all our needs will be taken care of by our gracious Father. Christ, as our Savior, provides us with the grace we need for our Christian walk. He directs our paths, fills us with His Spirit, and arms us with spiritual armor.
Christ protects us as we battle spiritual and temporal foes. He surrounds us with His angelic army even as Elisha was protected by the heavenly multitude. He guards our hearts from temptation and leads us in righteousness as a shepherd leads his flock. He strengthens us by His Spirit as we battle against our flesh, against the principalities of darkness that strive to take us back into captivity. Like the nation of Israel, we are preserved from the deadly strokes of the enemy by the power and mercy of God.
As our head, Christ forgives when we sin. He who governs in righteousness uses His power, not for tyrannical purposes, but to lead us in holiness by His grace. This sanctification occurs gradually, as we slip and stumble along the way. Instead of driving us on with a whip, Christ leads us in mercy and longsuffering.
In these four ways, the husband is the head of the wife. He governs, protects, provides, and pardons. He leads in holiness and with authority given to him by God Himself. He is in essence, the king of his home even as Christ is King of the church. His rule is not harsh and demanding; it is gentle, merciful, and filled with grace.
CORAM DEO
1 Samuel 30–31
Luke 19:28–48
Using the model of Christ, how should the husband exercise his right as the head of his home? If you are married, discuss with your spouse ways in which this headship can be better represented. Wives, pray for your husbands, that they would be strong in the Lord. Husbands, pray that you fulfill your role as head of the home.
For further study: 1 Cor. 11:1–16 • Eph. 1:15–23 • Col. 1:9–18
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