Instructions for Christian Households

Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Paul provides specific instructions for Christian households, addressing the relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and slaves. These instructions emphasize mutual submission, love, and respect, grounded in the believer’s relationship with Christ.

Exegesis and Study

• Mutual Submission: Paul begins this section with a call for mutual submission among believers, which is to be done “out of reverence for Christ.” This principle of mutual submission sets the tone for the specific instructions

that follow, highlighting the importance of humility, respect, and love in all relationships within the Christian household.

• Marriage as a Reflection of Christ and the Church: In addressing the relationship between husbands and wives, Paul uses the analogy of Christ and the Church. Wives are called to submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ, not out of inferiority, but as a reflection of the Church’s loving relationship with Christ. Husbands, on the other hand, are called to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. This sacrificial love involves a deep commitment to the well-being of the wife, placing her needs above his own and seeking to nurture and care for her in every way. Practical Application 1:
• Mutual Respect and Love in Marriage: For those who are married, this passage calls for a relationship characterized by mutual respect, love, and submission. Practically, this means that both spouses should seek to serve one another, make decisions together, and prioritize each other’s needs and well-being. Husbands should take the lead in loving sacrificially, prioritizing their wives’ spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being, while wives should respect and support their husbands, working together as partners in the marriage. This mutual respect and love create a harmonious and God-honoring relationship that reflects the unity and love between Christ and the Church.
• Parenting and Authority: Paul’s instructions also extend to the relationships between parents and children, and between masters and slaves (or employers and

employees in modern terms). Children are called to obey and honor their parents, which comes with the promise of blessing. Parents, particularly fathers, are instructed not to exasperate their children but to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. This means that parents should guide their children with love, patience, and godly wisdom, seeking to nurture their faith and character rather than provoking them to anger or discouragement.

• Christ-Centered Authority and Service: In addressing masters and slaves, Paul emphasizes that all authority and service are ultimately rendered to Christ. Slaves are to serve their masters sincerely, as they would serve Christ, while masters are to treat their slaves with respect and fairness, knowing that they too have a Master in heaven. In modern terms, this principle applies to the workplace, where employees are called to work diligently and with integrity, and employers are called to treat their employees justly and kindly, recognizing their mutual accountability to God. Practical Application 2:
• Nurturing a Christ-Centered Family: For parents, Paul’s instructions encourage creating a home environment where Christ is at the center. This involves teaching children about God’s Word, modeling godly behavior, and disciplining them in a way that reflects God’s love and justice. For children, honoring and obeying parents is a way to honor God, and it sets a foundation for a life of obedience and respect for authority.
• Applying Christian Principles at Work: In the workplace, these principles can be lived out by working with integrity, honesty, and a strong work ethic, viewing one’s

work as service to God. For employers, this means treating employees with fairness, respect, and care, creating a work environment that reflects Christian values.

Prayer Guide

• Pray for Christ-Centered Relationships: Ask God to help you cultivate relationships—whether in marriage, family, or work—that reflect the love, respect, and submission described in Ephesians. Pray for the grace to love sacrificially, serve humbly, and lead with integrity.
• Pray for Wisdom in Parenting: For those who are parents, pray for wisdom in raising children according to God’s Word. Ask for the strength to discipline with love, to teach with patience, and to model the Christian life in a way that draws your children closer to God.