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"This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church."

Text: Ephesians 5:32

BEGINNING WITH ADDRESSING THE SUBJECT OF THE MARRIED STATE

Paul began with addressing his readers who were married. He established the following ideas:-

1. There must be mutual submission to each other

This submission is to be practised with great consciousness of the Lord. There must be that all-important fear of God in their hearts, if this concept is to be practised effectively (Cf. Ephesians 5:21).

2. There must be mature understanding of roles

The Lord has given different roles to both husbands and wives. In summary the following may be highlighted:-

a) Wives

i) They were to consciously practise submission to their husbands.

ii) They must humbly practise submission.

iii) They must be willing to be taught.

iv) They must be desirous of growing and changing for the better.

b) Husbands

i) They were not to force the issue of submission (Cf. Ephesians 5:21).

ii) They were to head up the family (Cf. Ephesians 5:23).

iii) They were to cultivate their love for their wives (Cf. Ephesians 5:25).

iv) They were to have the highest of goals with reference to the family unit (Cf. Ephesians 5:27).

DWELLING ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

As Paul dwelt on this subject, he realized afresh that what he was writing on was no less than “a great mystery”. (The word “mystery” literally means “a revelation” from the Lord).

1. The married state was meant to mirror the relationship between Christ and the Church.

2. All believers (married or single) may draw much encouragement from understanding the close and intimate love-relationship between the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church.

3. The obvious challenge was for the Church to love the Lord that much more.