Ephesians 5:22-24 (NKJV) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Saviour of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Submission to the husband’s leadership is biblical, just as the marriage covenant is modelled after God’s covenant with the church. The wife’s willing submission is a picture of the church’s loving response to Christ’s leadership and sacrifice. There is protection for believers when we submit to Christ individually and collectively as a body of believers.
While submission suggests hierarchy, the word should not be seen as belittling or condescending. We should not feel uncomfortable with the term submission. Christians ought to view submission as a protection and a blessing for the soul. This is especially true of submitting to the Lordship of Christ, as it helps us avoid a lifetime of wrong. Similarly, submitting to the leadership of one’s husband can prevent a lot of unnecessary strife and bitterness.
The husband should take the leadership of unconditionally loving his wife, just as God loves us unconditionally. We willingly submit to the Lord because He loves us unconditionally, and we know that He has our best interests at heart. Likewise, the wives may rebel when there are only laws and instructions without the foundation of unconditional love.
Every organisation or body should always have only one head, or leader, to function effectively. Anything with two heads is called a monster because it is abnormal. A two-headed body will experience a lot of tension because there will always be differing opinions, directions, and visions. Therefore, the tendency is to head in different directions based on the decision made, and the whole body will be in schism or subjected to chaos. In the end, nothing is accomplished, but there will be anger, pain, resentment, bitterness, and a desire to lead separate lives.
God has appointed the husband as the head of the household with the support of the wife. Nonetheless, if the decision, investment, or practice clearly breaches biblical values and principles, it is non-negotiable. The wife should always be a blessing to the husband, having his best interests at heart because they are one flesh. Therefore, he should also consider her suggestions, opinions, thoughts, and deliberations because there is safety in counsel. They should spend time praying together over the decision, seeking God’s face regarding the matter at hand. However, the husband will make the final decision as the spiritual head after considering the wife’s opinions and suggestions. The wife should respect the spiritual authority and leadership by submitting even if the decision differs from her preference, because submission is only required when there are differences. That is leadership and submission working together in harmony.
Sermon Series: Blessed Wives, Blessed Lives
带领与顺服的和谐
以弗所书5:22-24 你们作妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主。因为丈夫是妻子的头，如同基督是教会的头。他又是教会全体的救主。教会怎样顺服基督，妻子也要怎样凡事顺服丈夫。
顺服丈夫的带领是合乎圣经的，正如婚姻之约是效法神与教会所立之约一样。妻子甘愿地顺服，正如教会对基督的带领和牺牲所做出的充满爱的回应。当我们个人和信徒的整体身体一同顺服基督时，信徒就会得着保护。
虽然“顺服”一词似乎带有层级的意味，但它绝不应被理解为轻视或贬低。我们不必因“顺服”而感到不自在。基督徒应当看待顺服为灵魂的保护与祝福。尤其在顺服基督的主权时，这能帮助我们免于一生的偏离与错误。同样地，妻子顺服丈夫的带领，也能避免许多不必要的纷争与苦毒。
丈夫应当承担起带领的责任，以无条件的爱来爱妻子，正如神无条件地爱我们一样。我们甘心顺服主，是因为祂无条件地爱我们，并且我们深知祂所行的一切都是为着我们的益处。同样地，若只有律法与吩咐，却缺乏无条件爱的根基，妻子也可能会因此产生抵触。
每一个组织或群体都应当只有一个元首或领导，才能有效地运作。若是有两个头，就被称为怪物，因为这并不正常。一个双头的身体必然会经历许多张力，因为意见、方向与异象总会出现分歧。于是，往往会因不同的决策而走向不同的道路，整个身体就会陷入分裂或混乱之中。最终，什么也无法成就，反而会带来愤怒、伤痛、怨恨、苦毒，以及想要各自为生的心。
神设立丈夫为家庭的头，并有妻子的支持与帮助。然而，如果某个决定、投资或做法明显违背圣经的价值与原则，那就是不可妥协的。妻子应当始终成为丈夫的祝福，存着顾念他益处的心，因为二人本是一体。因此，丈夫也应当认真聆听并考虑妻子的建议、意见、想法与思虑，因为谋士众多便有平安。他们更应当一同花时间祷告，将所面对的事交托在神面前寻求祂的引导。然而，作为属灵的头，丈夫在充分考虑妻子的意见和建议后，仍需作出最后的决定。妻子则应当尊重丈夫属灵的权柄与带领，即便决定与自己的想法不同，也愿意顺服，因为顺服的意义正是在意见分歧时显明。如此，带领与顺服便能在和谐中一同运作。
讲章系列：蒙福的妻子，蒙福的生活
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