Page 10 - November 2022 - Truth & Tidings

here is a direct correlation between throughout the NT. The primary respon-
roles, responsibilities and relation- sibility that a husband has toward his wife
Tships, affecting unity and harmony is that he loves her. In Ephesians 5, we are
both in the assembly and in the family. given the measure of love. In verse 25, it is
When we have a right appreciation of the the display of love: “Christ also loved the
significance of the roles that others have, church, and gave himself for it.” In verse
only then will we have a right relationship 28, it is the degree of love: “So ought men
with them. to love their wives as their own bodies.”
The institution of marriage was divinely In verse 33, it is the depth of love: “so love
ordained by God and constitutes a most his wife even as himself.”
sacred union between husband and wife In Colossians 3:19, we are given the
(Gen 2:18-24; Mat 19:5; Eph 5:31). If this manner of love. The injunction, “Hus-
union is to be preserved, and husband and bands, love your wives, and be not bitter
wife are to enjoy a loving and harmonious against them,” would express the demean-
relationship together, there must be a true our of love.
perspective of the roles and responsibili- There are at least three different words
ties of each associated with marriage and used to describe the responsibility of the
family life. wife to her husband. Individually and
When the Lord God formed Adam collectively, they bring before us the idea
from the dust of the ground, He said, “It of the meekness of love. In Ephesians 5:22,
is not good that the man should be alone” it is the devotion of love: “Wives, submit
(Gen 2:18). It is interesting to notice that yourselves unto your own husbands, as
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everything that was made up to that unto the Lord.”
point in time was “good.” The Lord said, In Colossians 3:18, it is the duty of love:
“I will make him an help meet for him.” “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
The word “meet” is not “mate,” although husbands, as it is fit in the Lord,” or what
there is a real sense in which that is true. is required by the Word of God. In 1Peter

The expression means ideally suited for 3:1, it is the design of love: “Ye wives, be in
him. In providing Adam with a “help subjection to your own husbands; that, if
meet,” God ensured that Adam would any obey not the word, they … may … be
know Eve’s companionship, as well as her won by the conversation of the wives.” In
contribution, in their service together for Ephesians 5:33, a very strong word is used
Him in His garden. to bring before us the dignity of love: “The
The principles concerning the relation- wife see that she reverence her husband.”
ship between husband and wife estab- The word “reverence” is to fear – not so
lished in the book of Genesis are taught much to be afraid of, in that sense, but to
¹ Scripture quotations in this article are from the have a godly respect for.
KJV. These responsibilities are the com-

330 TRUTH kTidings November 2022