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Ephesians 5:25-28 (JDV)

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, care about your wives, like Christ cared about the congregation and gave himself in her behalf

Ephesians 5:26 to make her sacred, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word.

Ephesians 5:27 He did this to present the congregation to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but devoted and blameless.

Ephesians 5:28 In this same way, husbands are to care about their wives like their own bodies. He who cares about his wife cares about himself.

only yours for the time being

You have been given a special gift if you have a wife. You alone can really appreciate the special gift that she is. But just as our Lord gave himself for his bride, so now you are expected to give yourself in your bride’s behalf.

All this talk about your authority over your wife is missing the point. Yours is not the work of domineering her. You have to care for her sacrificially as Christ did us. You have to submit to her needs. You have to seek her welfare. You have to care about her with the same attention that you bring to nourishing and strengthening and protecting your own body.

You will run the risk of being called things. People will think you weak if you don’t assume control over your “woman.” Let them think or say what they will. When the king comes, you want to present her to him as his bride – along with yourself. She is only yours for the time being. You had better treat her right.

Lord, give us the strength to care for our spouses with courage and determination – knowing the one for whom we are preparing them.