Reason for the Wife's Subjection to the Husband
T. Manton, D. D. Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.… The words contain a reason of the foregoing precept, both of the matter and manner of the duty. Why subject to their "own husbands"? Why "as unto the Lord"? The reason is taken from the resemblance which the husband carrieth in family government to Christ. In them observe three things — (1) What the husband is to the wife. (2) What Christ is to the Church. (3) The resemblance between the one and the other — "Even as Christ."There is a similitude, though not an exact equality in the case. In handling of this Scripture we must first speak of Christ's relation to His Church, and then of the husband's relation to the wife; for first we must consider the pattern before we can state the resemblance. That Jesus Christ is the Church's Head. 1. Oneness of nature between Him and the Church; for head and members suit. The Church hath such a Head as carrieth conformity with the rest of the members. He and we have one flesh; and so the Godhead, that was at such a distance from us, is brought down in our nature that it might be nearer at hand, and within the reach of our commerce. 2. It implieth an eminency; for the head is the most eminent part of the body. As it is the noblest, so nature hath placed it nearest heaven. The very situation doth in a manner oblige the other parts to show their reverence. So Christ is the Head of She Church, infinitely of much more worth than the Church, as being the only-begotten Son of God. 3. The head is the most illustrious throne of the soul; not only the seat of nerves and senses, but of the memory and understanding: so there is in Christ a fulness of perfection, enabling Him to do all the duties of a Head to such a great and necessitous body as the Church is (Colossians 2:3). 4. It implies authority and power to govern. His excellency giveth Him fitness, but authority, right to rule and govern the Church; to appoint officers, and to make laws that shall universally bind all His people (Matthew 28:18, 19). 5. It implies strict union between Him and the Church, such as is between the head and members in the natural body; which union is brought about externally by confederation, or visible owning the covenant, and professing faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. 6. Thence there resulteth a communication of influences. 7. It implies sympathy with His members; there is none of them hurt but it redoundeth to Him (Acts 9:6). Use 1. If Christ be Head of the Church — (1) Then there is no other that can usurp and take this honour upon him. (2) None can be a political governing head to the Church universal but He who is a Mediatorial Head, of vital influence to them. (3) A ministerial, universal head, that shall give law to all other churches and Christian societies; and if they depend not on Him, shall be excluded from the privileges of a Christian Church. Use 2. Let us make conscience of those duties which this relation bindeth us unto; for if Christ be our Head, we must subject ourselves to Him, and live by His laws. Use 3. Is comfort to those that are in so near a relation to Christ. He is not only a governing Head, but a quickening Head; giveth life, and strength, and growth (Ephesians 1:22). II. I come now to handle the second title, "He is the saviour of the body." He must do the part of a Saviour as well as a Head; and His dominion over the Church is exercised in procuring her good and salvation. Here I shall show you — (1) The nature of this salvation; (2) The manner, or the several ways by which Christ doth accomplish it.First: The nature of it will be known by several distinctions. 1. The notion of a saviour is doubly applied — First, to him that preserveth that which is already made, that it may not perish and return into nothing, or to him that recovereth a thing that is lost out of a state of perdition. 2. That salvation is positive and privative. 3. Salvation is either temporal or eternal. (1) Temporal salvation, when we are saved from the dangers incident to the present life. In this notion it is taken, 1 Peter 3:20. (2) However we have a better salvation to wait for besides the mercies of daily providence, even the enjoyment of God and Christ to all eternity; this is salvation, and this is blessedness. This is the end of our faith (1 Peter 1:5). Better we had never been born if we have not an interest in this salvation. 4. Eternal salvation is either begun or consummate. Salvation begun is attributed to the grace vouchsafed to us in this life; as the grace of justification or sanctification. 5. There is a typical saviour and a real Saviour. The people of God of old were mostly acquainted with the typical salvation. 6. There are some inferior helps or subordinate instruments which are called saviours; but the Saviour, or the original author of all salvation, is Christ.Secondly: The manner, or the ways and means by which Christ doth accomplish it. 1. By way of satisfaction, because He sayeth us from the guilt of sin, the curse of the law, and the eternal wrath of God, which are the lets and hindrances of our salvation, and could not otherwise be removed by us. So we are said to be saved by His blood (Romans 5:9). 2. By His merit, because He procureth to us the favour of God, and a right to all those blessings which are bestowed on the children of God. 3. By way of efficacy and power, because by His Spirit He doth effect and work in us all those things which belong to salvation.Use 1. Let us come to Christ for salvation if He be a Saviour; for this is His office. All men would be saved, why then is there no more resort and recourse to Christ? 2. Let us believe the truth of this salvation, and how worthy it is of our deepest thoughts (1 Timothy 1:15). 3. Embrace this salvation in Christ's own way, and upon His own terms. 4. Leave not this way till you have the evidence in yourselves (1 John 5:8, 10). (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. WEB: Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.