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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 298

"Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her own husband."

Text: Ephesians 5:33

WHAT ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF HAVING A NON-CHRISTIAN HUSBAND?

Paul was not the only apostle who wrote about the married state. The apostle Peter also wrote about this subject. Let us consider what the apostle Peter had to say on this subject.

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands,
that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word,
may be won by the conduct of their wives.
When they observe your chaste conduct accompanied
by fear.
1 PETER 3:1-2

1. Emphasising the same principle of “submission”

It is not insignificant to note that Peter emphasized the principle of “submission” as much as the apostle Paul did.

2. Encouragement to practise submission

What were Peter’s reasons for encouraging the practice of submission? Let us consider the following thoughts:-

a) Appreciating the possibility of a difficult family situation.

The context describes a situation where the husband appears to be a non-believer. That being the case, it would be difficult for him to understand the following ideas:-

i) Submitting to the Lordship of Christ
ii) Obedience to the Word of God
iii) Walking by faith
b) A challenge to win the husband over to faith in Christ.

This was certainly a challenge that the believing wife must consider carefully and prayerfully. How would she be able to do this?

i) It would be great if the husband is responsive to the Word of God.
ii) But if he is not, then other means must be found. In this context the “other means” would be the submission that the humble wife would display in her life.
iii) The possibility of winning the husband over by the consistent practice of submission must not be dismissed easily.

3. Submission further elucidated

Peter adds two important attributes that must accompany “submission”.

a) Submission must be accompanied by “chaste conduct”.
b) Submission must be accompanied “by fear” (that is “deep respect”).