Okay, how else are men to love their wives? Let's continue in Ephesians.
28-30 (KJV)
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
The word for love and loveth is agapao, which was covered in the last blog. bodies is soma - also covered in the previous blog. Or literally, self.
Flesh in the following verse is sarx - literally flesh, skin. Nourisheth - ektrepho - train to maturity, cherisheth - thalpo - foster.
Final verse, members - ie limb, flesh - skin, bones - osteon - literally bones.
So, given the definition of the words, a husband is to unconditionally love, as does God, his wife's body, as the man loves his own because a man is going to take care of his body or flesh, train it to maturity and foster himself. Implied is that the man is do the same for his wife.
And that we are all part of Christ's body or limbs, skin and bones - so our marriages should mirror this truth.
Kind of mind blowing when you thing about it, huh?
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
'Why Not Question' - Ephesians - Men in Marriage Part 1
Now, let's begin to talk about what husbands are supposed to do.
Eph. 25-27
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Notice the first thing they're commanded to do is love their wives. The word is agapao meaning - expresses the deep and constant love and interest of a Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential love in them towards the Giver. (Vine's complete Expository Dictionary. P. 382.)It is used in reference to loving God and He loving us in return. Whoaa! And this is how a husband is to love his wife.
Next, the husband is to sanctify (hagiazo - purify or consecrate) and cleanse (katharizo - purge, purify) it with washing (loutron - baptism) of water (hudor - literal or figurative) by the word.(rhema - spoken or written words.)
Last so can present (paristemi- stand beside, exhibit, recommend, aid,) it to himself a glorious (endoxos -gorgeous, honorable)church, not having a spot (spotless - stain), or wrinkle (rhutis - wrinkle on face), or any other such thing (toioutos - of this kind or sort); but it should be holy and without blemish (smomos - spotless, blameless).
Ouch! Talk about a tall order for men! They must love their wives unconditionally and like God loves them. They must speak or write to their spouses with pure words so they can present or exhibit their gorgeous wives with no blemishes of any kind before the Lord.
And that's just the beginning!
Eph. 25-27
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Notice the first thing they're commanded to do is love their wives. The word is agapao meaning - expresses the deep and constant love and interest of a Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential love in them towards the Giver. (Vine's complete Expository Dictionary. P. 382.)It is used in reference to loving God and He loving us in return. Whoaa! And this is how a husband is to love his wife.
Next, the husband is to sanctify (hagiazo - purify or consecrate) and cleanse (katharizo - purge, purify) it with washing (loutron - baptism) of water (hudor - literal or figurative) by the word.(rhema - spoken or written words.)
Last so can present (paristemi- stand beside, exhibit, recommend, aid,) it to himself a glorious (endoxos -gorgeous, honorable)church, not having a spot (spotless - stain), or wrinkle (rhutis - wrinkle on face), or any other such thing (toioutos - of this kind or sort); but it should be holy and without blemish (smomos - spotless, blameless).
Ouch! Talk about a tall order for men! They must love their wives unconditionally and like God loves them. They must speak or write to their spouses with pure words so they can present or exhibit their gorgeous wives with no blemishes of any kind before the Lord.
And that's just the beginning!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
'Why Not Question' - Ephesians - Women in Marriage
Every get tired of preachers stopping at this point?
Eph. 5:22-24. (KJV) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Why is that they never go on to say what the husbands are to do? Hmmmm. In the next few weeks we'll be covering those verses as well. But first, let's take a look at what these verses say.
Wives, submit (hupotasso - military term, to rank under, be under obedience)yourselves unto your own husbands (Now, that phrase makes one wonder. Were wives not doing that and obeying only other women's husbands?), as unto the Lord. (Don't we all do that since we've accepted him into our hearts as Lord of our life.)
For the husband is the head (Kephale - authority)of the wife, even as Christ is the head (Kephale - authority)of the church: and he is the savior of the body (soma - 'the body as a whole, the instrument of life'.)
Therefore as the church is subject (hupotasso - military term, to rank under, be under obedience)unto Christ, so let the wives bet to their own husbands in every thing.(Pas - daily, whole, manner of.)
Sounds depressing doesn't it? These verses conflict with everything we're taught in our society about the role of women. Taken out of context, it makes it sound like our husbands are to unquestioned kings and rule over us.
NOT SO!
Next week, we're going to cover how husbands are supposed to treat their wives, and you know what? They're given more instructions then women are!
Eph. 5:22-24. (KJV) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Why is that they never go on to say what the husbands are to do? Hmmmm. In the next few weeks we'll be covering those verses as well. But first, let's take a look at what these verses say.
Wives, submit (hupotasso - military term, to rank under, be under obedience)yourselves unto your own husbands (Now, that phrase makes one wonder. Were wives not doing that and obeying only other women's husbands?), as unto the Lord. (Don't we all do that since we've accepted him into our hearts as Lord of our life.)
For the husband is the head (Kephale - authority)of the wife, even as Christ is the head (Kephale - authority)of the church: and he is the savior of the body (soma - 'the body as a whole, the instrument of life'.)
Therefore as the church is subject (hupotasso - military term, to rank under, be under obedience)unto Christ, so let the wives bet to their own husbands in every thing.(Pas - daily, whole, manner of.)
Sounds depressing doesn't it? These verses conflict with everything we're taught in our society about the role of women. Taken out of context, it makes it sound like our husbands are to unquestioned kings and rule over us.
NOT SO!
Next week, we're going to cover how husbands are supposed to treat their wives, and you know what? They're given more instructions then women are!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Why Not Question - 'Facing the Giants' Failure?
Before the marriage series begins, I want to share something that is timely, considering the millions who are seeking employment in the current depressed economy.
In March 2009 I was laid off from my job. I was the best worker they'd had in the position, but when things became difficult financially, I was among the one third in the company who lost their job. For me, it was a blessing in disguise. I hadn't been happy there for several months. Plus, I'd originally taken it as a matter or survival - not a career move. A not uncommon place I'd found myself over the years.
However, in the days that followed I felt discarded. Like all their praise and excellent reviews I'd gotten meant nothing. The almighty dollar had won out.
So, almost every night I watched 'Facing the Giants'. I know. I've discussed this film before. However, it helped me through a difficult time in my life knowing that no matter what, no matter how bleak it got, God was still in control. I would love Him despite the economic loss I'd suffered.
As it turned out, my belief it was a blessing in disguise was true. I was exhausted. I'd been doing the work of three people and was burnt out. Granted, I felt a bit lost at first since I wasn't used to having time at home, but I filled it with job hunting in the morning, writing, reading or burying myself in hobbies during the afternoon. I even went on to make a life for myself by joining a local writer's group and other activities.
It was also good for my marriage. I no longer resented spending time with my spouse as I did when I had limited time due to my job. I could drop everything, enjoy being together, and not have my mind dwelling on the dozen things that needed to be done at home.
I also started my writing career and now have several stories published along with my first book.
Now, I have another 'giant' in my life to vanquish. I recently went back to work full-time. It's not a great job. The pay is low, there's no where to advance and what my employer is calling 'opportunity' is just cross training. It's another survival job. Nothing more. Nothing less.
And I'm really tired of survival jobs. I'd been forced into this position far too often. I normally either work in retail, an industry that doesn't treat the employees well and customers abuse them. Or file/mail rooms. What happens is the employer promises there's room for advancement, but once they hire me the tale is - 'Oh, didn't we tell you, we need someone to stay in that position for awhile.'
Bye bye any hopes of a bettering myself anywhere in the company.
Unfortunately, employers look at my resume and all they see is a file/mail clerk or someone who belongs in retail. They have blinders on when looking at my education - I have a BA. I've tutored children in Reading and Math. I'm an excellent trainer and I have outstanding written and verbal communications skills. (sigh)
What am I doing once more? Reading the novelization of 'Facing the Giants' by Eric Wilson. Once I finish it, I will again watch the movie.
It will help me face the giant of 'Failure' who is staring into my eyes.
In my opinion - that is all my working career has ever been.
Will God make something good of it? I certainly hope so. Although, right now, I don't see how. What possible good can come from continual grunt jobs? Other than financial. If that is all they've been, then I've certainly wasted my time. I'll just have to wait and see.
In March 2009 I was laid off from my job. I was the best worker they'd had in the position, but when things became difficult financially, I was among the one third in the company who lost their job. For me, it was a blessing in disguise. I hadn't been happy there for several months. Plus, I'd originally taken it as a matter or survival - not a career move. A not uncommon place I'd found myself over the years.
However, in the days that followed I felt discarded. Like all their praise and excellent reviews I'd gotten meant nothing. The almighty dollar had won out.
So, almost every night I watched 'Facing the Giants'. I know. I've discussed this film before. However, it helped me through a difficult time in my life knowing that no matter what, no matter how bleak it got, God was still in control. I would love Him despite the economic loss I'd suffered.
As it turned out, my belief it was a blessing in disguise was true. I was exhausted. I'd been doing the work of three people and was burnt out. Granted, I felt a bit lost at first since I wasn't used to having time at home, but I filled it with job hunting in the morning, writing, reading or burying myself in hobbies during the afternoon. I even went on to make a life for myself by joining a local writer's group and other activities.
It was also good for my marriage. I no longer resented spending time with my spouse as I did when I had limited time due to my job. I could drop everything, enjoy being together, and not have my mind dwelling on the dozen things that needed to be done at home.
I also started my writing career and now have several stories published along with my first book.
Now, I have another 'giant' in my life to vanquish. I recently went back to work full-time. It's not a great job. The pay is low, there's no where to advance and what my employer is calling 'opportunity' is just cross training. It's another survival job. Nothing more. Nothing less.
And I'm really tired of survival jobs. I'd been forced into this position far too often. I normally either work in retail, an industry that doesn't treat the employees well and customers abuse them. Or file/mail rooms. What happens is the employer promises there's room for advancement, but once they hire me the tale is - 'Oh, didn't we tell you, we need someone to stay in that position for awhile.'
Bye bye any hopes of a bettering myself anywhere in the company.
Unfortunately, employers look at my resume and all they see is a file/mail clerk or someone who belongs in retail. They have blinders on when looking at my education - I have a BA. I've tutored children in Reading and Math. I'm an excellent trainer and I have outstanding written and verbal communications skills. (sigh)
What am I doing once more? Reading the novelization of 'Facing the Giants' by Eric Wilson. Once I finish it, I will again watch the movie.
It will help me face the giant of 'Failure' who is staring into my eyes.
In my opinion - that is all my working career has ever been.
Will God make something good of it? I certainly hope so. Although, right now, I don't see how. What possible good can come from continual grunt jobs? Other than financial. If that is all they've been, then I've certainly wasted my time. I'll just have to wait and see.
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