We have long shown that the preponderance of God’s teaching on Christian living has application to the relationships we find in the home. Not much is written or said in the Bible about the husband/wife or parent/child relationships. There are some passages, one of which we appeal to today, but understand that the teaching of Christ to love God and love your neighbor bears many truths that will help us to know how families are to treat one another.
When the Holy Spirit does reveal truth about the family relationship, three main points are seen. The husband must LOVE, the wife must SUBMIT, and the child must OBEY.
(18) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
(19) Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
(20) Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
(21) Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Colossians 3:18-21
Contrary to worldly claims, the wife’s call to submit does not impact her value in any way. She is precious, and her person is every bit equal in value to the man. This is clearly seen in Paul’s words regarding the standing with the Lord (cf. Galatians 3:28). The call to submit, rather is argued by Paul as a matter of creation (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:8-10). It is interesting in the passage which calls for the submission of the woman, Paul hastens to add, “Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord” (11). She is however vulnerable both in her position, and in the typical physical differences between husbands and wives.
Which brings up the husband, and God’s call for him to love his wife. Love is God’s greatest, foundational commandment. A man’s love of his wife is not merely a profession, it is found in his efforts to protect and nourish her. Paul compares it to Christ’s love for the church (in Ephesians 5:25-29). No woman who is truly loved by her husband (as our Lord commands) will ever be harmed by her willingness to submit. She will be protected and cherished.
Finally, the child. Obedience is the required response, “that it may be well with you” (cf. Ephesians 6:3). It is the child’s place in the home to learn and grow while he is cherished by his loving parents. Rebellion preempts that to the child’s ruin.
