Wives: how does God-given authority work?

• The wife is subject to the husband (Titus 2:4-5; Genesis 3:16)
• Being under authority does not mean one is inferior in value (Genesis 2:18, 20; 1:27; I Peter 3:7; Psalms 115:9-11; John 14:26; I Corinthians 11:3; Philippians 2:5-7)
• Rebellion against a God-given leader is rebellion against God (Exodus 3:10; 19:6; Numbers 16:3, 28, 31-33; I Samuel 8:7; Romans 13:1-2)
• There’s a lot of male-bashing in our society today (Proverbs 14:1)
  • Be careful what you absorb from the culture!

Ephesians 5:22-24, 33: everything, respect

• First, a word about Ephesians 5:21 (Ephesians 6:1, 5; Hebrews 13:17).
• Be subject “in everything” (v24) – but harmonize that with all of Scripture (Acts 5:29; I Peter 3:7; Hebrews 13:17; Genesis 3:17; I Timothy 2:14).
  • The husband will answer to God for how he led his wife. He cannot abdicate that responsibility.
• Each spouse must focus on themselves (Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19).
  • The husband is not told to make the wife submit. He is told to love her.
  • The wife is simply told to respect their husband, not to make him love her.
• “as to the Lord” (v22) (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:23-24)
  • Give your husband the breathing room to lead. Managing your responsibilities properly makes it easier for him to lead properly.
• “respects her husband” (v33) (John 8:29; Philippians 2:8)

I Peter 3:1-6: gentle and quiet spirit

Women, there’s a lot of learning to do

• Men have a very strong desire to lead, protect, and provide (Genesis 2:15; 3:16-19; Nehemiah 4:14; I Corinthians 16:13; I Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:33).
• Women tend to bring out those strong, God-given instincts in men.
• Your husband will make decisions differently than you (Ephesians 5:23).