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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: If a husband has very little self-love, or even self-respect, what good is it if he loves his wife the same way? Isn't this closely related to "love your neighbor as yourself" in that self-love seems to be assumed as a given? What if self-love is lacking? How does Christianity fill in the blanks? Where is the self-love found? |
Bible Answer: srching: I do not believe we will find "self-love" in the Bible. "God is love" (1 John 4:8) He is the source of all love in this world. True, unconditional love is found only in Christ. For those who know Christ as Saviour, our cold hearts have been filled with his love "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us". (Rom. 5:5) I believe that in this verse his love shines outward from us rather than inward to ourselves. If we truly appreciate the love of God we will than be willing to love those for whom Christ died. I find it difficult to separate self-love from pride which tends to be selfish. I understand where you are coming from. If we hate ourselves than how can we love others? Should we see ourselves as worthless? How does God see us? He saw us as lost, helpless and sinful, but not worthless! How do we know this? We must look at what it cost him for the price of our redemption, "he spared not his son" (Rom. 8:32) After we come to know Christ, we stand in awe as to the fact that he loved and continues to love us so. I believe that if I as a Christian I can in a measure appreciate that I am loved, that in the measure I appreciate God's love will be directly proportional to the love I can show to others. A husband who is enjoying the love of God within his heart will love his wife. The Lord Jesus is the example of selflessness and so it should be in our lives if we belong to him. If we appreciate the love of God toward us and think of the price he paid for our redemption, even though we did not deserve it, we should have a love for our neighbours who are fellow travellers to eternity. Peace in his Name Robert |