One Last Word on Marriage
I love the word HOWEVER at the beginning of this verse. Paul has just finished a huge thesis of comparing the Church to a marriage. Very theological and lofty. The passage has elevated marriage to a whole new level. The Ephesians as well as us could walk away with our heads so high in the cloud of theology that we forget what is being said. We could forget how all this MUST apply to our everyday life. So he ends the teaching for husband and wives with this final verse, the last word on the matter.
I can see Paul writing this or better yet talking to a group of married couples and in a final deep breath he says HOWEVER, let me sum this up. Please do not get confused in all this lofty theology. The Bottom line…. GUYS love your wife as yourself and GIRLS respect your husbands.
We see this type of argument another time in the bible. Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Jesus said all the bible is wrapped up in these two verses. Now Paul says marriage is all wrapped up in this verse…Husbands love and Wives respect.
Simple!
It all kinda makes me think that God designed marriage to point to his relationship with the church. But if I view myself as the center of the universe I tend to get this backwards – that God designed the church to point to my marriage, as though it is all about us.
But now, as I read what I just wrote, it works both ways doesn’t it. Brilliant design. Amazing God!!
Thanks Rob-O