Sitting describes our position with Christ in the heavenlies. Walking is the practical outworking of that heavenly position here on earth. Watchman Nee
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV [1] Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:21-33 NIV [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...
[21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives to your own husbands as to the Lord.
no verb [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives to your own husbands as to the Lord. addressing infidelity
Ephesians 5:21-33 NIV [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...
1st Century in Ephesus 21st Century in London C O N T E X T T E X T R E A D E R WORLD BEHIND THE TEXT WORLD OF THE TEXT WORLD IN FRONT OF THE TEXT
1st Century in Ephesus 21st Century in London C O N T E X T T E X T R E A D E R WORLD BEHIND THE TEXT WORLD OF THE TEXT WORLD IN FRONT OF THE TEXT
1st Century in Ephesus 21st Century in London R T E X T E A D E R WORLD BEHIND THE TEXT WORLD OF THE TEXT WORLD IN FRONT OF THE TEXT
A text without a context is just a pretext
Ephesians 5:21-33 NIV [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...
Attitudes to Women in the 1st Century Jewish men would say their daily prayers one of which thanked God that they were not created a Gentile, a slave or a woman. A greek philosopher once said we have courtesans for the sake of pleasure; we have concubines for the sake of daily cohabitation; we have wives for the purpose of having children legitimately and of having a faithful guardian for all our household affairs.
The Context of Jesus and Patriarchal Judaism Some of Jesus closest followers were women, which would have been hugely controversial. Jesus teaches women - something not allowed in that day. The first witnesses to the resurrection were women, which is interesting in a culture where women were not allowed to testify.
Galatians 3 You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus...There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:21-33 NIV [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...
Defining Love and Submission on Biblical Grounds 1 John 4:10 - This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 3:16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. Eph 5:1 - Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Defining Headship on Biblical Grounds Jesus is the model - The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many
Ancient Worldview Head (kephale) = serves the body by giving it life, nurture and growth Heart (kardia) = seat of the will, action and authority v28-30 = language of headship After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church for we are members of his body.
Ephesians 6: 1-4 NIV 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise 3 so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:5-9 NIV 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. 9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.