Dave

This is just a brief(?) flyby comment. I have no time left after reading through all the comments! But I am just about to finish preaching through Ephesians and I felt that Paul’s purpose was that God’s big plan (Ephesians 1:10 – that all of creation be brought into harmony with Christ as the head) might be lived out NOW within the people of God. This meant in all our relationships we should live lives ruled by love (Eph 5:2) through the POWER that comes through Christ’s love in us (Eph 3:14-21).

So, Paul appears to tell the people in the Ephesian Church what this looks like in relationships where society accepts authority over another; in marriage, parents/children and slaves/masters. All three of these relationship types, in Paul’s time were similar. VERY similar. In all three one had authority over the other and it was socially accepted. Paul, however, shows that all three of these relationships should be mutual. Because, in our society today, we have a generally more egal view towards marriage and raising spoilt brats (ahem…I mean children) we probably best see Paul’s point when adressing master regarding slaves. Paul says slaves should obey their masters from their heart, serving the LORD NOT MEN (remember we are submitting to one another out of reverance for Christ). Then Paul tells the masters…”TREAT YOUR SLAVES IN THE SAME WAY”.

Ephesians was meant to be read in one sitting.

Egals are not suggesting that wives should not submit to their husbands. We are saying that Paul’s intention was NOT that husbands should rule over their wives. Rather, that the big plan is that all of creation will be in harmony with Christ as the head, not hubby! How will this big plan happen? Only if we are like Christ to one another (Eph 4:15-16, 5:21)

Sorry for the length of my comment 🙂