THE CHRISTIAN AND FAMILY RELATIONS

God has ordained for each relationship of life a method of behavior for His children. All the universe is ordered by Him, and each member of His family is to function within his proper sphere (5:20,21). This applies to heavenly beings as well as earthly ones (3:14, 15).

Christians find themselves involved in numerous relationships of life. In the family, or household relationship, most people function. This includes the husband-wife union, parent-children bond, and (especially in the Greek or Roman household of the First Century) the master-servant relationship.

In the world of Paul's day, there were many religious and ethical systems and cults. One of these was the philosophical system known as Stoicism. The Stoics believed that men should live according to Nature, or right reason. They taught men to live "in step" with the universe. They catalogued vices and virtues and made lists of duties for various members of society. Such devices helped popularize their ideas; the "list-method" of "do's" and "don'ts" helped the ordinary man follow the system with less effort.

Paul also used a systematic method of teaching as he described the duties of Christian members of society. But there is an important and quite noticeable difference between Paul's "do's" and "don'ts" and those of the Stoics. Paul grounds each of his commands in the individual's relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christians do not act a certain way just because they have a list to follow, but because they have a relationship with God through Christ. This will be apparent as this lesson progresses. This lesson deals with Ephesians 5:20-6:9.

Body

I. WIVES.

   A. Duties of a Christian wife.

        1. Submit to her own husband (5:22).

        2. Be subject to her husband (5:24).

        3. "Reverence" her husband (5:33).

   B. Basis for this submission.

        1. "As unto the Lord" (5:22).

        2. "Husband is head of the wife" in God's order (5:23).

        3. "As the church is subject unto Christ" (5:24).

II. HUSBANDS.

   A. Duties of Christian husbands.

        1. Be head of the wife (5:23).

        2. Love the wife (5:25, 33).

        3. Leave father and mother for the wife (5:31).

   B. Basis for this position.

        1. "As Christ is the head of the church" (5:23).

        2. "As Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it" (5:25).

        3. "As [being] their own bodies (5:28, 29, 31, 33).

III. CHILDREN.

   A. Duties of Christian children.

        1. Obey parents.

        2. Honor father and mother.

   B. Basis for this action.

        1. Because the children are "in the Lord" (6:1). It is also true that the obedience is to be consistent with the Lord's will.

        2. Because "this is right" (6:1).

        3. Because it is an ancient and honorable command (6:2, 3).

IV. FATHERS.

   A. Duties of Christian fathers.

        1. Provoke not children to wrath (6:4).

        2. Bring them up in nurture and admonition of the Lord (6:4).

            a. "Bring them up," the same as "nourish" of 5:29 in the original.

            b. "Nurture," this is to discipline, literally.

            c. "Admonition," literally, "instruction."

   B. Basis for this duty: Because Christian fathers are "in the Lord," their children are to be disciplined and instructed with the Lord in mind (6:4).

V. SERVANTS.

   A. Duty of Christian servants - be obedient to fleshly masters (6:5, 6).

        1. "With fear and trembling," i.e. with respect.

        2. "In singleness of heart," i.e. sincerely, with simple goodness.

        3. "Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers," not merely while being watched by an overseer.

        4. "With good will doing service," i.e. working because of a good will toward the master for whom service is rendered.

   B. Basis for this conduct.

        1. "As unto Christ."

        2. "As [being] the servants of Christ."

        3. Doing the will of God from the heart.

        4. Knowing that God is the final Paymaster.

        5. Knowing that God does not respect social status.

VI. MASTERS.

   A. Duty of Christian masters (6:9).

        1. "Do the same things unto them."

        2. "Forbearing threatening."

   B. Basis for these rules.

        1. God is the true Master of all Christians.

        2. God is no respector of persons.

Conclusion

God, through the Spirit, led Paul to describe the duties of various members of the "household" in society. When each does his part - filling his station in God's scheme of things, the social unit (and society at large) will function smoothly and for the best of all concerned.

Each Christian member of society is to behave a certain way, however, not because it works best, but because he is a Christian and sustains a particular relationship to the Lord. From this central relationship to Him all other relationships are governed and guided.

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