Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

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 Saviour of the body.
24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Ephesians 5:22-24

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. Instructions to Wives

a) They are to learn “submission”
b) But this word must be carefully understood first

2. What submission is NOT

a) Many erroneously cite this text to demand submission
b) It is not foolish or blind obedience to the husband
c) It is not laying aside what God has given

i) Knowledge
ii) Understanding
ii) Wisdom

3. What submission is

a) It is “in the Lord”
b) It cannot be contrary to Scriptural teachings

4. Headship

a) It is the Lord who has given the leadership to the husband
b) This has to be wisely understood!

5. The example of the Lord Jesus

a) His roles

i) To be the head of the Church

ii) To be the Saviour of the body

b) He fulfilled His roles perfectly

4. Submission is expected from the Church

a) The Church must submit to the Lord
b) Unfortunately, the Church submits not to the Lord

i) But to the church pastor
ii) The church pastor submits to the rich donors!
iii) This is so wrong and unwise!

5. Submission expected from the wife

a) When the husband fulfils what God teaches
b) When he leads the family well!

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. The relationship between the Lord and the Church
This must be understood and practised

2. Family relationship
This too must be practised joyfully!

May we heed the counsel of the Lord!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan