Roles We Play

Ephesians 5:1-21 provides general admonitions and warnings to each of us as members of the Body of Christ. Interestingly, the last direction given in this section is to be humble in relationships: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (vs 21) Verses 1-21 were built upon Paul’s prior instruction, where we were taught to be living sacrifices in love. (Rom. 12:1-3) Here also he issued a warning, knowing our tendency to be high-minded and self-exalted: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

The next section, Ephesians 5:22-6:1-9, instructs us on how to be humble in various positions. Initially, family is the focus, then situations outside the home, servants or masters. The problematic tendencies in each role are the focus of the admonitions:

Ephesians 5:22-24,33b: “…Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” Women tend to have difficulty being submissive to their husbands, though the authority structure is clear: “the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (I Cor. 11:3) A woman is to submit “in everything,” reverencing her head, even as the Church submits unto Christ as the head of the Body. This is only possible ‘in Christ’ and His power.

Ephesians 5:25-33: Husbands can struggle with consistently loving their wives: “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself.” (vs. 33a) Christ and the Church is the example. Selfless love is the heart attitude God desires for the man; Christ is to be his power.

Ephesians 6:1-3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother…” They’re to know and believe Christ the Word, enabling a respectful and obedient heart.

Ephesians 6:4: A caution is given to fathers not to provoke their children, “but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Fathers are to grow in Christ with a grace-filled love attitude.

Ephesians 6:5-8: Servants are to be submissive ambassadors unto Christ in them, being obedient, “in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ… doing the will of God from the heart…as to the Lord”

Ephesians 6:9: Masters in authority are to do the same as servants and “forbearing threatening.” Basically, not to be a respecter of persons, but allow Christ to manifest His love in them to others.

Reflect: What roles do you play? Is there anything God desires you to review, adjust, or change? “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10)