“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;” (Eph. 5:28)

Paul was discussing the role of husbands and paused to discuss the likeness of how Christ loves and cares for the church. It is a body comparison. The church is the body of Christ, and he loves the church more than he loves himself. Check the Philippian letter for this information.

In general consideration, people love themselves. Some unbalanced humans may not, but the majority of the human race does care about themselves. We also know that some people will give their lives for others which is the extreme. It is what Jesus did. Husbands are not expected to commit to that just as husbands but as Christians, they must love others more than they love themselves.

So, this is how the husband views his wife. He sees her as himself. Her need is his need. Her loss is his loss. Her pain is his pain. Her longing is also his longing. This is said, as all Biblical things are said, in light of what is holy and good.

Now we go back and apply this to the leading statement about the husband and wife relationship. We learned that wives are to submit to husbands because husbands are the heads of the wives. By itself, that may seem a frightening thought, especially since we have witnessed so many husbands taking advantage of their wives. But in the light of Paul’s explanation, it seems like a very doable thing.

Wives are to submit to the headship of a husband who loves them like he loves himself. A husband, furthermore, who wants to present his wife as glorious and wholesome and is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to see that a reality.

Task for Today: Husbands, evaluate your love for your wife and compare it to how you love yourself. She is to receive no less than you give yourself. Wives, help your husbands by being the loving and cooperative companion God intended.