Out Of Curiosity.....I want to know your opinion on....

At all times and for everything giving thanks

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves)

to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord.
For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church,

Himself the Savior of [His] body.
As the church is subject to Christ,

so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.

Ephesians 5:20-24

On some homeschooling boards I frequent, there are often questions that arise about these verses.

Should they be taken literally?

Are they for today?

(I am not going to speak to the husband’s responsibility. I think it is much more productive to look at the wife’s position in my case, & I think it is obvious why! )

Also, if you want a good definition of what it means/does not mean to "be subject", I added clarification at the end (couldn’t track down where it came from-but it’s still good).

How do these verses work out in every day life?

Do you let him pick the furniture?

Does only he discipline the children?

Does he decide all family activities?

What if he shows little interest in the home?

If he is not a natural leader in the home, how do you encourage him in this area?


(& before the discussion goes too far…..I should say….that I take these verses literally-just as I take all of the Bible-just so you know where I’m coming from)

I want some practical discussion here, as these verses carry ideas I (& others like me-according to all I have read) have been trying to figure out for a while.

I found the following explanation of what submission in the Biblical context is & is not:

First of all, submission does NOT mean that you follow your husband into sin.
This command to submit to your husband in everything does not cancel out the

other commands in the Bible.

If your husband wants you to lie or cheat or engage in some kind
of sexual immorality, you must refuse.

Your ultimate allegiance must be to Christ,

and you cannot forsake Christ out of submission to your husband.

Secondly, submission does NOT mean that the wife is a doormat and is so passive
that she never expresses her opinion.

Submission doesn’t mean silence or servility.
Submission is something that a wife must do voluntarily and willingly,

and it should enrich her personhood, not suppress it.

Thirdly, submission does NOT mean that wives should subject themselves to
abuse. Sadly (very sadly), many men abuse their wives in various ways, and many
women may feel constrained to that predicament because of this command.

They may feel like they need to submit to their husband’s beatings.

But if you’re in an abusive
relationship, you need to seek refuge.

You need to get out of that situation and find
protection for yourself and your children.

So submission does NOT mean that you follow your husband into sin,

it does NOT mean that you’re a doormat,

and it does NOT mean that you allow yourself to be abused.


The essence of submission is recognizing that God has put your husband in a
position of authority over you,

and you are to respect him and encourage him as such.
Even if your husband is an unbeliever,

1 Peter 3 says that your submission may result in his conversion,

as he sees “your respectful and pure conduct.”

So whether your husband is a Christian or a non-Christian,

whether he is a good leader or a not-so-good leader,
your obligation is to respect him and encourage him and follow him.

So, how do you see these verses at work in your home?

Especially if you are one of my wise lurkers, I would like your opinion…

Thanks!

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And.....closing on a light topic.....the way we celebrated Mother's Day yesterday:

Aren't they just the cutest? I love being a mom!

(& a wife-love you, Hubby, as I know you are reading the blog!

Thanks for yesterday-it was the BEST!)