HUSBANDS’ MISSION: LOVE AS CHRIST LOVED
Husbands, loveG25 your wives, just as Christ lovedG25 the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to loveG25 their wives as their own bodies. He who lovesG25 his wife lovesG25 himself.
Ephesians 5:25-28 (BSB)
This passage may be familiar as it is used in weddings as well as sermons. To truly understand what Paul is writing to husbands, it is imperative to know the meaning of the Greek word for “love” used. Husbands are not commanded to love their wives in the sense of a romantic feeling because those feelings come and go and can be affected by situations. Husbands are not commanded to have the type love based on common interests and pursuits (philĕō) although they may be friends as well as husband and wife. They are instructed in Paul’s letter, commanded by the Lord, to love (agăpē) their wives. Remember that agăpē is the willful choice to love whether or not the object of that love is worthy at the time. Agăpē is self-sacrificing love that puts the needs of the other person above his own. Husbands, as the leaders of their homes, are given the mission to love as Christ loved. Christ died in order to purify His bride, the church. The husband’s goal is to love his wife remembering that she is God’s precious, priceless jewel entrusted to her husband’s care while on earth. He should never belittle his wife or cause her to stumble in her walk with the Lord. He should help her to shine as the multi-faceted diamond God intends her to become. Since the husband and wife become “one flesh,” he should love her, take care of her, as he would take care of himself. All of this is predicated on the home where both husband and wife are believers—children of God—because it is impossible to love in this manner without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Susan and I do not have husbands but submit to the Lord as our head. However, since we share a home, we should love (agăpē) each other. Married or single, we should ask ourselves if our homes are a picture of God’s love. This passage is written to husbands, but the principle of loving as Christ loves applies in all relationships between believers as well.
Father, may our homes reflect You not only by having scripture on the walls and other Christian décor but in the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control found in the people who dwell there.