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NASB | Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 5:33 However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear]. [1 Pet 3:2] |
Bible Question (short): Greater rank, not greater person? |
Question (full): Isn't it possible for someone to hold a higher rank than someone else of better character or greater maturity? It happens in the military. Can't it be that way in marriage as well? Isn't that what Eph 5:33 talks about, order or rank? It seems like the higher the rank one holds in any God-ordained system, the more one is called on to proactively pursue a lifestyle of self sacrificing love. "Whoever would be great among you must be the servant of all." Didn't Jesus say that? Anyway, it looks like in the Bible husbands are given rank in the family system and are called on to be aggressively laying down their lives, to meet needs, to follow the way of the cross, as it were. This looks like the one relationship where God grants authority first, then says, "Okay, guys, now live up to it! You wanted to be married, now learn to do marriage like Jesus does it." Isn't the whole love/submission issue of Eph. 5 and 1 Pet. 3 the kind of thing where if one spouse is looking to the other to do it right *first*, then the point is being missed? Furthermore, isn't the point of all this to have husbands and wives doing so much good to each other that God's own glory radiates through the relationship as they follow His plan for them? And don't both Paul and Peter teach us that EITHER a truly submissive, respectful wife OR a truly loving, self-sacrificing husband will have powerful influence in bringing the other into proper relationship not only in the marriage, but even to God? Am I missing something? |