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THE GODLY WIFE. EPHESIANS 5:22-24. 07/26/20. AM. #29.
EPHESIANS 5:22-24 [New King James Version (NKJV)]
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
- The role of the woman
- God assigned roles have several dimensions
- Responsibility – a husband, pastor, teacher…
- Authority – an elder, a deacon, governor, police…
- Tasking – to teach, protect, rule, serve, support…
- Scope – some are gifted more than others and have greater opportunities (Joseph, Moses, Tabitha…)
- Roles within the triune God
- All three members are co-equal in their being or essence (John 1, Hebrews 1, Colossians 1, Acts 5, Matthew 28)
- There is a governmental or command structure within the Godhead of Father, Son, and Spirit (I Corinthians 15:28, John 14:16-26)
- The role of the woman
- Galatians 3:28 co-equal in essence and spiritual status as man (no difference in humanity or spirituality)
- Woman is assigned a different role than the man: (Genesis 2:18-25 a partner to man, vessel of reproduction, and companion to man)
- 1 Timothy 2:8-15 and 3:1-14 women are forbidden to teach men, have authority over men in the church, or hold the offices of elder or deacon
- The term deaconess means “helper” or “one who serves” and was applied to some women (Romans 16), but this was not an official office
- Women were prophetesses, a judge, queens, and impactors
- God assigned roles have several dimensions
- The role of a wife
- The wife is to submit to her husband
- The word “submit” means “line up behind”
- She is to follow his authority
- She is to line up behind husband AS UNTO THE LORD
- 1 Corinthians. 11:1 the wife is to follow her husband as he follows the Lord
- In areas where the husband is not following the Lord, she is not to follow him in doing evil
- The wife is to submit to her husband for the Lord’s sake as commanded her (1 Peter. 3:1-6)
- Proverbs 31:10-31 a virtuous wife will do right no matter what her husband does (she will do good for her husband)
- Esther saved her husband from the guilt of an evil scheme concocted by Haman
- Abigail saved Nabol and all the males of his household from being killed by David
- Sapphira was given an opportunity to correct the lie told by her husband, Ananias (Acts 5)
- A godly wife manages the home well, is frugal, guides the children in holiness, supports her husband in his role as provider and spiritual leader, and is gracious
- The wife is to submit to her husband
- The buck stops at dad
- The husband carries the burden on how his home is run (1 Tim. 3:4), provides for his family (I Timothy 5:14), protects his home (Mt. 24:43), leads his home into righteousness (Jos. 24:15; 1 Peter 3:7; Job 1; Deuteronomy 6:4)
- The Lord holds the man to account for what happens in his home (he is responsible for leading his family)
- Four earthly authorities: family, church, government, and employers
- The home is the foundational authority
- The husband is to lead his home for the Lord, while the wife supports her husband in this task
- A wife can save the husband from foolishness
- A godly wife enhances her husband’s influence
Key verse: Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.