(Ephesians 5:23) “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”
It’s important to remember another verse in the context of this one:
(Ephesians 5:21) “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
True Biblical subjection in marriage is a bi-directional activity motivated by the fear of God. For the most part, we understand the authority issue in this verse as the Headship of Christ is established. However there is something more as we see in the phrase, “…and he is the savior of the body.” Christ exercised humility and selflessness when He went to the cross. Yes, it was an act of subjection – Philippians 2:7-8.
A husband who lives a crucified life also lives a humble life. The reality of the cross leads Him to operate selflessly as head of the wife. The functional authority of the husband only works properly if it is combined with the humility and crucifixion of Christ. Subjection must be an integral part of his identity. There is no place for domination in this type of mindset. This type of thinking comes from a love where the husband values and esteems the wife more than he values and esteems himself. Christ’s identity on the cross becomes the husband’s identity. It also means that regardless of how much the husband has been wronged, there is always mercy, grace and forgiveness just as Christ provided to the Church when He became Savior of the Body.
This type of thinking makes the Christian view of marriage unique when when compared to all the other philosophies and religions of this world. This type of thinking could transform our culture by transforming our marriages.
Renewed Thought – A crucified husband also produces a resurrected husband.