Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 5:1 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; |
Subject: What are our duties as man and wife |
Bible Note: Whew, such a lot to say. First, are you a child of God? I know you are. Does he love you even more than you love your owhn family? Is he giving you the best, and teaching you? Absolutely. Therefore relax. Sometimes when thisngs were tough, I had to repeat words like this as a mantra. It helps me overcome self doubt. We can help each other understand, but each has a choice. You can choose to listen to God, or your own selfish interests. We know the truth, but blind ourselves. See Rom 12:1-2 on how when we give ourselves to God, we know his will. Here you instinctively knew that though the church needs discipline, just like in II Cor, being too harsh can destroy a mans walk with God. I had a daughter who dropped out of High school. She knew that I disapproved of whet she was doing. Nevertheless, I kept contacting her and loving her. She is now in college. Keep believing in that new creation that you are. God don't make no junk. In answering your questions, we must look at what is usually ignored. Does God give cultural or time period statements in the passage. For example, Paul says tht because of the times (the persecution) that people should not marry. Another time he says that he wishes that all men were like him. This could mean he naturally had a low sex drive, or that he had the victory over needing sex. Compare those statements to the one about every man should marry. All statements have to be true, so I Cor 7:2 can't be strictly interpreted as all men must marry. In 1 Cor 7:9, we compare that to Matt 5:28 where burning in lust is adultery in the mind. Yes, it is better to be single in times of trouble, but it is better to marry that to burn, or worse, committ immorality. Remember, back then, there were people teaching that marriage was evil. We must reject all such worldly things. Paul saying, relax. Single is good, marriage is good. It does not say "If ones mate deserts him". It says if an unbeliever leaves. Let's say you are emotionally abusive (I know you are not) and your husband realizes he will commit suicide if he doesn't leave. He, a believing Christian leaves to save his life, but stays single and prays for you. You though claim righteousness, because you always blame others rather than listen to God and repent. You claim abandonment and remarry. God is not fooled by such people, but it goes on all the time. If the unbeliever can't stand the new righteous you that no longer joins him in the "gentile" ways and leaves, you are free to remarry. Notice the difference the spouse leaves because of your sin or because of your righteousness. Only the second frees you to remarry. I believe that Paul's and Jesus' teachings on Marriage perfectly mesh. Adultery breaks the marriage contract. There is no marriage, unless you choose to forgive. Thus you can divorce. The unbeliever is not under God's law in the way that the jew or Christian is. You must keep your covenants because God demands it. If an unbeliever leaves, the covenant is broken, but if he chooses to stay, do like Paul says and stay. In both cases, the Christian stays if at all possible, but if the partner ends the marriage in these situations, you are free to remarry. I see no contridiction. You had the heart to stay. Compare the sentance structure of loosed to widows. One is no longer under bondage but free to remarry. The other is loosed and free to remarry. the sentances are identical with two words of similar ideas used. Compare Ephesians and Colossians. Two identical books, but the passages are written with the same construction but different words. Thus, if widows are free to remarry (and they are) then when unbelievers leave, the spouse is free to remarry. Greentwiga |