Lesson 485: Ephesians 5:22
Ephesians 5:22
The Blueprint — The Verse
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
Paul wrote Ephesians to believers in a major city devoted to Artemis worship and imperial pride. He described the church as Christ's body and called households to live out the gospel.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
After teaching mutual submission in the Spirit, Paul addressed wives and husbands. He called wives to submit to husbands as to the Lord, grounding marriage in Christ's relationship with the church.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Ephesians 5:21
Instructions for Christian Households21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Ephesians 5:21) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Ephesians 5:23
23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Ephesians 5:23) to continue the passage.
Discussion
- How does Christ's love for the church define Christian marriage?
- What does mutual submission look like alongside specific roles?
- How can this passage be taught without reinforcing abuse or inequality?