5 Flawed Ideas About “Headship” in Marriage
I repond to 5 flawed ideas I often hear as interpretations of Ephesians 5:22-33, including the “husband as decision-maker” idea.
July 21, 2024
17 Comments
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Category: Ephesians 5
(2) Submission & the Saviour in Ephesians 5
In part 2, I look at Christ’s role as the “Saviour of the body” and what this means for Paul’s words to wives in Ephesians 5:22-24 and to husbands in Ephesians 5:25ff.
May 5, 2024
14 Comments
(1) Submission & the Saviour in Ephesians 5
In this 2-part article, I present what I’ve been learning about the Greek “submit” verb, and I look at what it meant to Paul that Jesus is the “Saviour of the body.”
April 26, 2024
15 Comments
A Note on the Mystery in Ephesians 5:31-32
What is the mystery in Eph 5:32? Here’s my quick take on “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”
March 3, 2024
20 Comments
Submission in 1 Corinthians 15:28 and in Marriage
The Son’s submission to the Father in 1 Cor. 15:28 does not inform our understanding of submission in marriage in the way some people argue. Here’s why.
September 14, 2023
17 Comments
What does submission “in everything” mean?
I look at how Paul uses the phrase “in everything” in his letters and at what it means in, “wives submit to your husbands in everything.”
November 12, 2022
25 Comments
An Overview of Paul’s Use of Kephalē (“Head”)
In this article, I provide an overview of how Paul uses the word kephalē (“head”) in his letters, and I give a brief note on each verse that contains the word.
August 1, 2022
38 Comments
Kephalē (“head”) as Metaphor in First-Century Texts
Here are some first-century Greek texts that use the word kephalē (“head”). They show how the word was used in Paul’s day.
July 23, 2022
12 Comments
A Close Look at Colossians 3:19 (Husbands)
In this post, I discuss Paul’s instructions to husbands in Colossians 3:19. I look at this verse within the broader context of Colossians and I explore what “bitter” means.
July 10, 2022
8 Comments
A Close Look at Colossians 3:18 (Wives)
Paul’s words to wives in Col. 3:18 contain a phrase that doesn’t occur elsewhere in the New Testament. What does it mean to submit “as is fitting in the Lord”?
July 1, 2022
12 Comments
Mutual Submission in Early Christian Texts
Some Christians claim that submission is always to a person in authority. In this article, I quote early church bishops who spoke positively about mutual submission.
June 29, 2021
12 Comments
Beth Allison Barr on Paul and Biblical Womanhood
In her book The Making of Biblical Womanhood, Beth Allison Barr argues that the concept of “biblical womanhood” doesn’t come from the apostle Paul.
May 21, 2021
34 Comments
3. The Grammar of Ephesians 5:21-22: 1 Sentence or 2?
Is Ephesians 5:21-22 one sentence or two? What is the best way to punctuate these verses? How do ancient manuscripts treat them?
March 1, 2021
5 Comments
2. The Grammar of Ephesians 5:21-22: A Missing Verb?
Is it significant that there is no “submit” word in Ephesians 5:22 in two of the oldest Greek manuscripts? Did Paul tell wives to submit?
February 20, 2021
8 Comments
1. The Grammar of Ephesians 5:21-22: Participles
In this article, I look at the Greek participles in Ephesians 5:18-21, especially the “submit” participle in verse 21.
February 20, 2021
10 Comments
Mutual Submission in Ephesians 5:21 and in 1 Peter 5:5
Eph. 5:21 is one New Testament verse that encourages mutual submission. 1 Peter 5:5 is another. This post looks at the Greek grammar and vocabulary of 1 Peter 5:5.
May 3, 2020
18 Comments
The Household Codes are Primarily about Power
The household codes in Eph. 5-6 and Col. 3-4 are not about gender but primarily about power and about mitigating abuse that often comes with power.
February 27, 2019
50 Comments
Paul on Gender Roles in Ministry and Marriage
A few verses in Paul’s letters are frequently cited by Christians who exclude women from some ministries. Did Paul really restrict women in either ministry or marriage? This is part 3 of a series on gender roles in the Bible.
June 2, 2018
7 Comments
John Paul II on Mutual Submission in Marriage
The stance of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to mutual submission in marriage is much more egalitarian than the stance of many evangelicals.
April 7, 2018
6 Comments
A more beautiful picture than male headship and female submission
Is male headship and female submission the best way for husbands and wives who are in Christ to live by New Testament and New Creation principles?
July 22, 2017
18 Comments
The Responsibilities of Husbands in Ephesians 5
Do husbands have a particular responsibility for the spiritual growth of their wives? Will husbands one day present their wives to Jesus?
February 16, 2016
26 Comments
Are Men Accountable for their Wives’ Actions?
Are men accountable for their wives’ actions? This article looks at the accountability of Adam and Eve (pre-patriarchy) and of Ananias and Sapphira (post-Pentecost)
October 8, 2015
23 Comments
Ephesians 5:22-33 in a Nutshell
In what way (or ways) is the relationship between Jesus and the church a model for marriage? What does Paul mean in Ephesians 5:22-33?
June 21, 2015
44 Comments
Fear or Respect in Christian Marriage? (Eph 5:33 & 1 Pet 3:2)
In Ephesians 5:33 it says that a wife should respect (phobeō) her husband. What is the connection between respect & fear? Did Paul want wives to be afraid?
May 13, 2015
30 Comments
Wives, mothers, and female masters in NT household codes
When we read the NT household codes, we need to keep in mind that some “masters” were women. How does this affect our understanding of these passages?
March 31, 2015
36 Comments
Wifely Submission and Holy Kisses
Instructions for wifely submission and holy kisses are given in the NT five times each, but one concept is often emphasised while the other is usually ignored.
March 27, 2014
36 Comments
Mutual Submission is not a Myth
Dear Dr Grudem, mutual submission is not a myth. Submission is not always, or necessarily, to a person in authority (cf. Eph. 5:21–22).
October 18, 2013
20 Comments
Submission in Christian Marriage
What does submission mean? What does the Bible say about submission in marriage? Is wifely submission relevant in our modern western societies?
August 14, 2012
20 Comments
Paul’s Main Point in Ephesians 5:22–33
Ephesians 5:22-33 is written as a chiasm with a highlighted point at the centre of the passage. We misinterpret this passage if we miss this main point.
April 30, 2012
91 Comments
Kephalē and “Male Headship” in Paul’s Letters
Does Paul’s statement in Ephesians 5:23, “the husband is the head of the wife,” mean that the husband has leadership or authority over his wife? And what about 1 Corinthians 11:3?
September 18, 2011
140 Comments
Double Standards in the Promotion of Submission
Why aren’t the biblical concepts of wifely submission and submission to governing authorities given equal emphasis in the church?
May 22, 2011
9 Comments
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