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Ephesians 5 isn't about mutual submission between husband and wife. To make the text say such, is to blur a distinct dynamic between husband and wife that the scripture is trying to make.
Ephesians 5
This doesn't negate the fact that some scriptures draw a level of sameness, and mutual serving between husband and wife.
Regardless, we can't use those scriptures to blur and dismantle the unique dynamic between husband and wife this portion of scripture is drawing.
Ephesians 5:22-33 draws a correlation between Jesus and his church, and husband and wife.
Christ is equated with husband.
Church is equated with wife.
If husband and wife were considered the same, the scripture wouldn't go out of the way to draw this distinction.
Some try to blur this distinct dynamic between husband and wife by bringing verse 21 into the context.
That verse belongs to the previous portion of the text which addresses issues within the church in general. There is a clear transition in thought after verse 21, when Paul addresses husband and wife, therefore you can't drag verse 21 into the context that's about something new.
You can't blur the distinct lines between husband and wife this text is clearly making. Again...
Christ is equated with husband.
Church is equated with wife.
The husband in the position of Christ is instructed to do things like Christ.
The wife in the position of the church is instructed to do things like the church.
When you try to blur this text by making it about "mutual submission" you in fact blur the lines between Christ and his church, because marriage itself is a picture of Christ and the church.
Jesus isn't subject to his church.
The church didn't give its life to save Jesus and sanctify Him.
When you blur the lines of this text's intent, you make it look like Jesus is subject to his church, and you make it look like the church gave its life to sanctify Jesus.
Ephesians 5
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lorddoes the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones.31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lorddoes the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones.31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
1 Cor 7
3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
1 Cor 11
8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.
8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.
Ephesians 5:22-33 draws a correlation between Jesus and his church, and husband and wife.
23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Church is equated with wife.
If husband and wife were considered the same, the scripture wouldn't go out of the way to draw this distinction.
Some try to blur this distinct dynamic between husband and wife by bringing verse 21 into the context.
21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
You can't blur the distinct lines between husband and wife this text is clearly making. Again...
Christ is equated with husband.
Church is equated with wife.
The husband in the position of Christ is instructed to do things like Christ.
23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lorddoes the church.
24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Jesus isn't subject to his church.
The church didn't give its life to save Jesus and sanctify Him.
When you blur the lines of this text's intent, you make it look like Jesus is subject to his church, and you make it look like the church gave its life to sanctify Jesus.
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