Last week, we dealt with the wives on the issue of submission, quoting from Ephesians; today, we turn to the husbands, likewise quoting from Ephesians—This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.1 As Paul was addressing the husbands, he abruptly shifts and alludes to the image of Christ and the church. He paints a word picture of a husband that images Christ’s love for the church.
In context, the 1st instance that ‘image’ was used in the bible is found in the story of creation. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.2 There have been eons of books written on what may the image be. But it is prudent to dwell on what is readily available and literally defined right after the verse: man’s mandate to rule—as God is Sovereign, man was given the same characteristic. He was tasked to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over (it).”3
Sadly, due to sin we have corrupted this image; our relationship with God was marred. We were banished from his presence.4 Our attempts to bridge the gap has proven futile. Glaringly, man needs a Savior. Due to God’s unfailing love he desires to redeem that corrupted image
To this privilege, David was totally awed. In one of his Psalm he says, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, . . .”5
In Christ, God totally restores such image. As a God of order, he establishes order through the institutions he created under the authorities he set in place. Take the sacred marriage that God instituted. He assigns the husband head of the family and takes him into account—Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.6
Notes:
1. Ephesians 5:32
2. Genesis 1:27
3. Genesis 1:28
4. Genesis 3:22-24
5. Psalm 8:3-6
6. 1 Peter 3:7
