PODCAST
Mutuality, Not Hierarchy
June 14th, 2013
Ephesians 5:21-33
Spirit-filled Christians (Ephesians 5:18) will:
- speak to one another in words of joyful praise (5:19a).
- sing together (5:19b).
- always give thanks to God (5:20). And
- “be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ” (5:21).
Ephesians 5:21–6:9 describe what mutual subjection involves. Since every Christian is subject to every other Christian, the subjection of wives to husbands, children to parents, and slaves to masters is NOT the central point of this passage. In fact, the word “subject” does not even appear in the Greek of 5:22.
Paul tells husbands three times to “love” their wives (5:25, 28, 33). And wives should “respect” their husbands (5:33). Children should “obey” their parents (6:1); and slaves, their masters (6:5). But Paul equally emphasizes the responsibilities of parents to their children and of employers to their employees (6:1-9).
Hierarchy is not what distinguishes Christian families from others. Every Christian answers to one “head” (5:23), one “Lord” (6:1, 4), one “Master” (6:9)–Christ.
Author: George Lyons
Tags: Jesus
June 14th, 2013 at 10:47 am
In Mark 4:24-25 we are told how to become Spirit-filled. You have to “use” whatever you have “heard.” Prayer being the heard first, then obedience in honoring your parents and/or obeying the Scriptures regarding your relationships.
Your words, actions, and thoughts are a catalyst to becoming filled with the Spirit; therefore, the manner in which we communicate with our immediate family carries a lot of weight in regards to our spiritual growth.