Okay...next up - a hysteroscopy. Not fun. In July I had a sonic histogram. Also not fun.
(read on if you're not afraid of TMI)
Daily Archives: September 14, 2007
Are “husbands” authorities?
An discussion on "Better Bibles Blog", attempting to persuade that the submission of wives is not submission to an authority.
A quote from Scripture, minus man-made chapter and verse markings:
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 1For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. (1 Peter, end of chapter 2, beginning of chapter 3)
The very first word in chapter 3 (and this is a letter, not a chapter book) is "likewise". "Likewise, wives, be subject..."
Likewise; equally; in the same way.
In the same way as what?
We need to go back - the (man-made) section heading is titled "submission to authority". What are the examples?
Submission to the emperor, governors, masters. Why? Because Christ was our example; He suffered unjustly, but was in submission, not only to His Father, but to the civil authorities, who reviled, tortured and put Him on the cross.
Likewise, wives...
Servants, be subject to your masters, wives, be subject to your husbands.
Other places I've addressed this issue: (note) I'm in the process of fixing the links)