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Read: Ephesians 5:21-22
Listen: Ephesians 5

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22

Paul lays the groundwork for relationships in Ephesians 5. The Ephesian believers’ reverence for Christ should shape how they relate to one another (Ephesians 5:21). In the Greco-Roman world, it is rare to acknowledge women because they are treated as a commodity. Paul chooses not only to acknowledge them but to show honor by addressing the wives in the community first, inviting them into a countercultural conversation. He calls wives to respect their husbands in the same way they respect Christ (Ephesians 5:33), which reflects the gospel in how they honor and encourage them.

Copying and pasting this Scripture into our context can be challenging because it is often misunderstood. We are all called to show respect to one another, but it looks different depending on the relationship. For wives, it is a call to honor our husbands. This means valuing the image of God in him, partnering to help him reach his God-given potential, seeking his best and being mindful of how impactful our words can be. This is different from the world, and when lived out, it reflects God’s heart and character to those who don’t know him.

TODAY: Ask your husband, or a significant person in your life if not married, how and when he feels respected. Then commit to show one tangible expression of respect toward him each day this week. Explore gospel-shaped marriage further on the Beyond the Weekend Podcast. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts or on YouTube HERE.