Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33 WEB
The love commanded by God is full of grace. God loves us in spite of our failings with an active love that the Greeks called “agape.” This love is self-sacrificing, constantly seeking to benefit others. This love is patient and kind, without envy, strife, or pride.
Paul describes godly love in 1 Corinthians 13:5-7 saying that love, “doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. WEB”
Love Your Wife As Yourself
This passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians commands husbands to love their wives just as they love themselves in addition to encouraging a wife to see that “she respects her husband.” This mirrors Jesus’ love of the church, his bride, and is consistent with the Lord’s command from Matthew 23:39 to “love your neighbor as yourself. WEB”
Jesus famously teaches his disciples to love one another as well. We read in John 13:34, ‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. WEB” These statements considered, Jesus expects that we love, honor, and provide for our wives. To love like the Lord, a man is willing to sacrifice himself to save his wife from danger.
Love and Respect
The love in a marriage is expected to be reciprocal, mutual in nature. And so, Paul teaches a woman to show that she respects her husband. The elements of sacrifice and respect are foundational to Christian marriage.
Loving and honoring one another does not mean that there will be no problems in the marriage, but these qualities set a firm foundation for a successful relationship and family. When a man loves his wife just as he loves himself and a wife shows that she respects her husband, they experience less conflict and greater unity.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the clarity and wisdom of your holy word. Thank you for these examples of how to love one another. Guide my steps to live according to your purpose. Help me to love, honor, and respect others. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Everything Must Be Fufilled
