A Christian Marriage: wives submitting to a Godly Husband - why not?

[Sparkey]

The word hypotasso translated as obedient in this scripture is actually the same word translated as submit in Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 when referring to wives and husbands. This word is different from the word hypakouo translated as obey when speaking of children obeying their parents or a servant obeying his master.



It's a matter of semantics, but semantics become important in this case. What is the difference between obedience and submission? Obedience is demanded. Submission is given. If my husband wants me to attend a church that I don't want to attend, I will submit to him and go, because it is important that, as the wife and helpmeet, I support my husband and submit to him. If my kids don't want to go to church because they think it's boring...they don't have a choice, they are kids, they will obey us and go to church.

The difference is seen on the male side too. If a husband understands that his wife does not like his choice of what church to attend, he will do well to prayerfully consider her objections and continue discussions with an active, loving ear. If his children don't wanna go? He will want to speak to his wife about it, get her input and form a united position. They (the children) are not really involved in the choice. They (the parents) are.

~Sparrow

 

[handy]

They (the children) are not really involved in the choice. They (the parents) are.

A good example of the difference between hypotasso and hypakouo.

 

[Sparkey]

Re: Who is the Godly Husband? It is the Lord, it is the Lord!

Perhaps we will profit from looking at a conversation between Jesus and a Centurion.

Our Lord said,​

"Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"​

The subject was authority and the officer of the Roman army had asked The Christ to heal one of his servants, explaining, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." [Matthew 8:8-9 NKJV]

Jesus marveled at the faith of the Centurion. WE have been called to a higher understanding than this. Our Christ, for a little while, dwelt in corruptible flesh yet there was no corruption found in Him. He became "lower than the angels". The Roman Officer understood authority and Jesus marveled at his faith, trust and understanding. Our Lord took a position "lower than the angels" to show a way to those who were given an ear to hear, a path that promises to lead us to a place where he is with The Father. Of all the various examples we are given in the parables and Scriptures that could have been used to demonstrate the Unity of the Faith that we have been called to, marriage is singled out and elevated higher than any other.

Jesus is our shepherd and the loving relationship between the shepherd boy and his flock is well known. The Word of Truth is likened to a seed that when acted on takes root and flourishes. Our appeal for a good conscience before God is seen in the doctrine of baptisms where we are immersed as we express our new birth before God and man. We are taught that sacrifice and the shedding of blood are not things that please God but rather the sacrifice of Praise and a broken and contrite heart He will not despise. In all these stories and analogies and even in the lives of holy men of God we see various aspects of our relationship with Him. We are counseled to become like children in our trust and belief, to be like a tree planted by a river, to join into the harvest as farmers, to be wise like serpents, harmless as doves and to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. We are instructed in the value and commitment of friendship in the book of Ruth. Yet only one analogy is given the honor of depicting the relationship developed between Jesus and the Church. Marriage.

This is so important to God that He wrote it into our very bodies together with our need to join and become one. The marriage bed is holy and utterly apart from sin. "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." Paul explained the mystery that was revealed to him and other saints of God in his letter to those in Ephesus. Truly the end is shown from the beginning.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is]. ... That he might present it [his body] to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Let us then strive to keep the "finish line" in view with a mind of completing the race as we work toward the unity of the most holy faith that was delivered in truth to us by our Lord and Savior, the one in whom we hope to call "husband" in truth and from the innermost parts. That the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.