Until you understand the intensity of Christ’s Love and Devotion to His Church, and the trust-filled submission of His Church to Him, you can never understand the mystery of marriage in fullness.

This Truth invites us to delve into the depths of Ephesians 5:24-32, where the Apostle Paul draws a parallel between the relationship of Christ and the Church and the relationship between husbands and wives.

Traditional Limitations

In the historical and cultural context of Ephesians, Paul was addressing a society in which marriage was often viewed through a pagan, hierarchical, power-dynamic lens. The same is true in our world today. Many misunderstand gender roles and the whole essence of marriage altogether.

The Greco-Roman world had a different understanding of relationships, often emphasising dominance rather than mutual love and respect. This was the ideology passed down from the fall, in which man and woman lost their place in God’s original plan. Jesus Christ came to change all that. He came to transform man and woman into His image so that a new Communion would form through marital unions, reflecting the sacrificial Love of Christ.

Our Fullness in Christ

To understand the depth of this Marital Mystery, we need to grasp the mystery of the unity between Christ and His Church (the Bride).

Prophet Isaiah, speaking by the Spirit of the LORD in Isaiah 54:5 (KJV), said

“For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called”.

For your Maker is your husband – This is the first major place God spells it out to us that we are not just betrothed to Him, but He is Our Husband. Does this mean we as Christians are married to God?

Absolutely Yes! Apostle Paul, speaking in Romans 7:4 (KJV), says,

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God”.

This means that, as Believers in Christ, we are in a marital relationship with Christ Jesus, not merely imaginatively but in all reality. This is why we are complete in Him (Our Husband) because we are married to Him by our acceptance of Him, thereby making us One with Him!

Apostle Paul states in verse 32 of Ephesians 5,

“This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

The relationship between Christ and the Church is not merely a metaphor; rather, it is the foundation upon which the understanding of marriage is built. Christ’s love is sacrificial, unconditional, sanctifying, purifying and wholesome. As the Sample Son representing God’s Perfect will to us, earthly husbands are to learn to love as Christ loves, and earthly wives are to learn to submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ. Jesus Christ gave Himself for the Church, illustrating the depth of covenant commitment with sacrifice that husbands are called to emulate.

What Does This Look Like?

1. Kingdom Leadership

Jesus Christ found great joy in leaving His place of Glory and dwelling with us. John 3:13 (KJV) says,

“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in Heaven.”

When a man exalts himself above his wife in pride, he loses true joy, loses his place as a husband, and loses his place with God at the same time. Regarding Jesus, it was spoken of Him.

“ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”

Philippians 2:8-10 (KJV)

“God Resists the proud but gives great grace to the humble”

1Peter 5:5

Servant Leadership

This is God’s Kingdom about marital plans, and Jesus Christ was the first example to show it.
We need to understand that Marriage is NOT a Union of Convenience but a Covenant of intentional alignment to God’s divine plan and purpose. Don’t call yourself the head of your home if you have not learned what it means to serve and be humble, because leadership without humility is destructive and not redemptive. Yet, Jesus married us to bring us freedom, snatching us from the bondage of hell (everything evil you can imagine and the place of eternal punishment) and bringing us into eternal redemption!

Hence, we are admonished to:

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

1Pe 5:6 (KJV)

2. Godly Submission

The Church is in Subjection to Christ Jesus in love.

“Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”

Ephesians 5:24

The Greek word for “subject” (hypotassō) implies a voluntary yielding, not a forced submission. This reflects the Church’s response to Christ’s love. Jesus never forces anyone into submission, nor does He make us, the Church, subservient to Him. Rather, we are made to sit together with Jesus Christ in heavenly places. Jesus calls us to choose Him daily, and due to the abundance of the love He shows to us, the Church WILFULLY submits to Christ Jesus.

The Choice of Submission

We can choose to yield to someone, and we can choose not to.

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”

Eph 5:21-22 (KJV)

In Christ Jesus, wives, you are called to submit to Christ Jesus and unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. This is very symbolic and significant. The Church is held responsible to hold fast the form of sound words, which we have heard of Christ Jesus, in faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13 (KJV)

This means your marital relationship in the Kingdom must be according to God’s standard, not tradition or your own. You are to submit to your husband according to the Word of the Lord, because God is Lord over your home and not anyone else. So, whatever things are good, lovely, just, righteous, full of faith, or praiseworthy, submit to these things under the covering of your husband. Still, whatever is anti-scriptural, anti-Christ, or anti-faith, you are to reject it in the spirit of humility. If you find yourself in this situation, God is Lord over your home. Seek His wisdom to navigate this tough patch in your marriage and seek Godly counsel for the right path to take.

CONCLUSION

Christ’s love surpasses all, and the Church’s submission to Christ’s love establishes God’s Kingdom patterns in every aspect of life, including our marriages. As you reflect on these timeless truths, may you yield to them in your marital lives, embodying the love and devotion that Christ exemplifies. May you commit to understanding and living out this mystery so that your marriage reflects the beauty of Christ and His Church. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Are you in need of Christ-centred marital counselling today? Feel free to reach out to us Right Now!