His Word Today

²⁶ “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26–27 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul continues his comparison of the love a husband is to have for his wife with the love Christ has for the church. Christ’s love is the standard of self-sacrificial love of the will. A husband’s love for his wife is based and established on this sacrificial standard by the Lord Jesus. This holy standard, not only of God the Father’s love but also Christ’s love for the church, was previously spoken about by Paul in Ephesians 2:1-4.

What was the purpose of such love by God for sinners? Paul sets forth three purposes of Christ’s love in today’s text.

The first is “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” The second purpose of God’s love in and through Christ is “so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.”

The third purpose of Christ’s atoning love is “that she might be holy and without blemish.” As the bride of Christ, the church is referred to in the feminine gender.

Christ’s love is intended to make the church holy. Holy (ἅγιος; hagios) means to be pure, dedicated, divine and separate from sin. Holiness is a fundamental characteristic of believer’s in Christ (1 Cor. 6:2; 2 Cor. 13:12; Php. 4:22; I Peter 1:13-16; Rev. 18:20; 22:21). The phrase without blemish (ἄμωμος; amomos) means to be without fault, defect and perfect in the sight of God.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “These last two adjectives (hagia, “set apart,” and amōmos, “without blemish,” like a spotless lamb) are stated in Ephesians 1:4 as the purpose of God’s election: that Christ may present His church to Himself in all its perfection (cf. “make holy” in 5:26; also cf. hagious and amōmous in Col. 1:22). Whereas human brides prepare themselves for their husbands, Christ prepares His own bride for Himself.”

During the wedding ceremony, there is a moment when the impending bride enters the sanctuary to present herself to the wedding guests, but most especially to her prospective husband. It is as that moment that the groom could announce to all in attendance that his future bride, arrayed in white, is the one for whom he will self-sacrificially live for and love. He presents her in all her beauty, splendor and purity; symbolized by her wedding dress. It is a special moment.

This is what the Apostle Paul addresses when he writes about Jesus Christ presenting His bride, the church, in heaven in all her heavenly glory. The church’s honor and glory is not inherently her own, but what she has received from her husband, the Lord Jesus Christ.

May each of us reflect, as the bride of Christ, how we may demonstrate our future heavenly glory in the present earthly lives.  

Soli deo Gloria!   

²⁶ “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26–27 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul continues his comparison of the love a husband is to have for his wife with the love Christ has for the church. Christ’s love is the standard of self-sacrificial love of the will. A husband’s love for his wife is based and established on this sacrificial standard by the Lord Jesus. This holy standard, not only of God the Father’s love but also Christ’s love for the church, was previously spoken about by Paul in Ephesians 2:1-4.

What was the purpose of such love by God for sinners? Paul sets forth three purposes of Christ’s love in today’s text. The first is “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”

The second purpose of God’s love in and through Christ is “so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” Jesus Christ remains the subject since being introduced in Eph. 5:25. The masculine singular personal pronouns pertain to Him.

The phrase “so that he might present the church to himself in splendor” is established upon the truth of the first purpose of Christ’s love of sanctifying the church. This is accomplished solely through the regenerating work by the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8; Titus 3:1-5). Sinners are born again by the Holy Spirit in order to believe the truth of the Gospel. Regeneration precedes faith (John 3:1-3).

The phrase might present (παρίστημι; paristemi) means to cause to exist and to raise up. God the Father and Jesus Christ have raised up sinners unto Himself and justified them by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of the Savior alone.

Therefore the church will be resurrected in splendor. Splendor (ἔνδοξος; endoxos) means to be glorious and honored. Christ will present the church glorious to Himself.

As such the church will be eternally recognized as being without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” Spot (σπίλος; spilos) means a stain or blemish. Wrinkle (ῥυτίς; rhytis) is a crease or imperfection. Paul declared that the resurrected church in heaven will possess and reflect the glory and perfection of Jesus Christ. So too did the Apostle John (I John 3:1-3). 

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Paul outlines in these verses the entire process to which Christ has committed Himself in His relationship with the church. He has washed her from sin and is preparing her for a glorious destiny with Himself. Husbands are called in like manner to adapt their lives to their wives’ needs and to provide for their spiritual growth and development.”                  

Husbands, how are you doing in adapting your life to your wife’s needs, spiritual growth and development? Ask the Lord at this very moment what you can do to truly love your wife as Christ loved, and loves, the church.  

Soli deo Gloria!   

²⁶ “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26–27 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul continues his comparison of the love a husband is to have for his wife with the love Christ has for the church. Christ’s love is the standard of self-sacrificial love of the will. A husband’s love for his wife is based and established on this sacrificial standard by the Lord Jesus. This holy standard, not only of God the Father’s love but also Christ’s love for the church, was previously spoken about by Paul in Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:1-4 says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—.”

What was the purpose of such love by God for sinners? Paul sets forth three purposes of God’s love in today’s text. The first is “that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”

Notice that the personal pronouns He and her respectively speakof the Lord and the church. Jesus Christ is the giver of self-sacrificial love of the will and the church is the object of that love. The purpose of such love is so that Christ might sanctify all believers.

Sanctify (ἁγιάζω; hagiazo) means to make holy. Believers in Christ possess the quality of holiness. The ultimate goal of God’s love is not only to save sinners from judgment, along with to declare them righteous, but also to ultimately make them righteous and holy. Salvation is deliverance from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and ultimately from the very presence of sin.  

This sanctification is possible because Christ has cleansed the church. Cleansed (καθαρίζω; katharizo) means to purge, purify and to heal. Our English word catharsis comes from this Greek verb.

Christ accomplished this cleansing, Paul says, by the washing of water with the word. This phrase does not refer to water baptism but rather monergistic regeneration by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Gospel.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “This is not baptismal regeneration for that would be contrary to Paul’s teaching in this book as well as all his other writings and the entire New Testament. Metaphorically, being regenerated is pictured as being cleansed by water (cf. “the washing of rebirth” in Titus 3:5). The “Word” (rhēmati) refers to the “preached Word” that unbelievers hear (cf. rhēma in Eph. 6:17; Rom. 10:8, 17; 1 Peter 1:25).”

The sanctifying reality of holiness begins at regeneration. Following the believer’s conversion unto justification, the process of sanctification begins. It does not conclude until the believer in Christ physical dies resulting in complete sanctification or glorification.

Take the opportunity today to praise God for His grace in loving you enough to set you apart unto holiness. May each of us reflect God’s holiness in the lives we lead for the glory of God.  

Soli deo Gloria!   

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul now shifts his attention to the husband of the family. Paul has already mentioned that the husband is the head of the wife. The word head (κεφαλή; kephale) means the one who has the supreme responsibility. This responsibility is solely on behalf of his wife. As we have already noted, the wife has a responsibility to and for her husband.

The husband has an even greater responsibility to his wife. That responsibility is to love her. The word love (ἀγαπάω; agapao) is in the present, active imperative form. This means that God commands each Christian husband to self-sacrificially love his wife. This is a command each Christian husband must obey.

The example for such love is from Jesus Christ Himself. He loved (ἀγαπάω; agapao) the church (ἐκκλησία; ecclesia) or those who would become believers in Christ. Christ displayed this self-sacrificial love of the will when He gave Himself up (παραδίδωμι; paradidomi) or handed himself over to the governing authorities in order to be crucified.

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the example God sets for each believing husband. Paul’s emphasis is not on the husband’s responsibility to govern his family but rather on his responsibility to love.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Nowhere in the New Testament is Christ’s self-sacrificing love applied more directly to a specific relationship as a pattern to be emulated.”

It is interesting to note that wives are not directly commanded to submit to their husbands, but rather commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). When a wife obeys God’s command and seeks the Spirit’s filling, a natural consequence will be submission to her husband (Eph. 5:22-24; I Peter 3:1).  

However, God does directly command the husband to love his wife. As he is the head of the home, he displays godly headship by taking the lead in loving his wife. When he does so, the wife will more likely respond with submission as God intended.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Though the husband’s authority has been established (vv. 22–24), the emphasis moves to the supreme responsibility of husbands in regard to their wives, which is to love them with the same unreserved, selfless, and sacrificial love that Christ has for his church. Christ gave everything he had, including his own life, for the sake of his church, and that is the standard of sacrifice for a husband’s love of his wife.”

Guys, how are you doing in loving your wife as Christ loved the church? If you are like me, you can only do better.

Soli deo Gloria!   

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Eighteen: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation. Part 1.

1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of salvation,^a which hope of theirs shall perish:^b yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace,^c and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.^d

a. Deut 29:19; Job 8:13-14; Micah 3:11; John 8:41. • b. Mat 7:22-23. • c. 1 John 2:3; 3:14, 18-19, 21, 24; 5:13. • d. Rom 5:2, 5.

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope;^a but an infallible assurance of faith, founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation,^b the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made,^c the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God:^d which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.^e

a. Heb 6:11, 19. • b. Heb 6:17-18. • c. 2 Cor 1:12; 2 Pet 1:4-5, 10-11; 1 John 2:3; 3:14. • d. Rom 8:15-16. • e. Eph 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Cor 1:21-22.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

^22 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:22-24).  

Once again, the Apostle Paul cited that biblical submission was one evidence of the Holy Spirit’s filling (Ephesians 5:21). It is a personal and relational submission. Submitting (ὑποτάσσω; hypotasso) means to willingly obey, and be obedient (Luke 2:51; Eph. 5:22). It also means to bring oneself bring under control, and to put oneself in subjection (1 Cor.  15:27; Eph. 1:22; Php. 3:21; Heb. 2:5, 8). It is the Holy Spirit who does this work in the believer’s heart.

In other words, biblical submission is being responsible to and responsible for another believer. In the case of today’s text, it is the wife willingly seeking the filling of the Holy Spirit in order to being responsible to, and for, her own husband.

The reason for God instructing the wife to submit to her own husband is also given in today’s text. It is because the husband is the head of the wife. The word head (κεφαλή; kephale) means the one who has the supreme responsibility. This responsibility is solely on behalf of his wife. As we have already noted, the wife has a responsibility to and for her husband. The husband has an even greater responsibility to his wife. The husband’s responsibility will be examined in Ephesians 5:25-31.

The wife’s submission, and the husband’s headship, is comparable to Christ and the church. The church has a responsibility to Christ (Mathew 28:16-20; Acts 1:1-8) and Christ even more so on behalf of the church. This is because He alone is the church’s Savior and Lord (Acts 2:22-36; Phil. 2:1-11).  

Paul draws a conclusion in vs. 24. As the church submits to Christ, so too should a wives submit to their own husbands in everything. It should be duly noted in the context that the word everything (πᾶς; pas) does not mean that the husband should expect, or even demand, his wife disobey the Lord. A godly husband would never demand this of his wife. A godly wife would never comply in this scenario to her husband.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Redemption in Christ restores the intimacy men and women were created to enjoy in marriage (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:18-25). A Christian wife is called to grateful acceptance of her husband’s care and leadership. In other passages on Christ’s headship in this letter, Paul speaks of the way Christ governs the universe and the church (1:22) and serves as the source of the body’s health and growth to maturity.”

When a wife fulfills her responsibilities in marriage, and the husband his, there is great and consistent harmony and blessing. The husband bears the greatest responsibility in fostering this harmony and blessing. It is to that subject we will examine when our study in Ephesians continues.    

Soli deo Gloria!   

²² “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:22–24 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul cited that biblical submission was one evidence of the Holy Spirit’s filling in the believer’s life (Ephesians 5:21). It is a personal and relational submission. Submitting (ὑποτάσσω; hypotasso) means to willingly obey, and be obedient (Luke 2:51; Eph. 5:22). It also means to bring oneself bring under control, and to put oneself in subjection (1 Cor.  15:27; Eph. 1:22; Php. 3:21; Heb. 2:5, 8). It is the Holy Spirit who does this work in the believer’s heart.

The Strong’s Greek Lexicon explains that submission is a “Greek military term meaning ‘to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader’. In non-military use, it was ‘a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden’.”

It is the believers’ reverence (φόβος; phobos), fear and awe of Christ that prompts this voluntary attitude and behavior of submission. Submission cannot be demanded by an individual towards an individual. It must be truly voluntary for the act of submission to be truly biblical.

This is especially true in the marriage relationship which the Apostle Paul begins to address in Ephesians 5:22-33. The phrase “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord” is often misunderstood. In the Greek, the verse reads as follows: “Wives, to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” The verb submit is not actually contained in vs. 22 but in the immediate context is taken from Ephesians 5:21.

Women are not commanded to submit. Rather, wives are to recognize that the Holy Spirit’s filling in their lives will bring them to an attitude of being personally responsible to and responsible for their own husband. The husband is never to demand or command his wife to submit to him. However, God calls the Christian wife to grateful acceptance of her husband’s care and leadership in the family.

Like an individual’s submission to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to one another (Eph. 5:21), the godly wife seeks her husband’s welfare. Submission is a voluntary attitude of cooperation and a mutual carrying in the responsibility of the marriage. King Lemuel outlined the characteristics of a submissive and godly wife who is filled by the Holy Spirit in Proverbs 31:10-31.   

More to come concerning submission within the home. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!   

“How I dread preaching on the estate of marriage! I am reluctant to do it because I am afraid if I once get really involved in the subject it will make a lot of work for me and for others.” – Martin Luther, The Estate of Marriage (1522)  

The command for believers in Christ to be filled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) is initially evidenced by worship and gratitude to God and submission to one another (Eph. 5:19-21). In Ephesians 5:22-6:9, the Apostle Paul will explain how mutual submission is to be demonstrated in the home and at work. Paul begins with marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33).

Having served as a pastor for over 40 years, I have done my fair share of weddings. In fact, my wife and I recently visited with an 80’s something couple who are delightfully married. It is the second marriage for them, since both their respective former spouses died. If love is lovelier the second time around, this dear couple certainly attest to this adage.

In every wedding I have the privilege and responsibility to officiate, I require pre-marital counseling. In the six sessions, the prospective couple and I biblically examine the various aspects of marriage. This ranges from their personality differences, finances, children, church involvement, and in-laws.

By far, the most enjoyable session for me, and hopefully for the future husband and wife, is taken from Ephesians 5:22-33. The three of us spend a considerable time examining exactly what is meant by submission and love, respectively by the wife and husband. It always turns out to be an enlightening and edifying occasion for all.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Jesus gives life to a new community of love – the church, His own body. His love defines the marriage relationship for His people. Paul teaches that the genders are complimentary and a man and a woman are equal before God. Redemption restores the intimacy men and women were created to enjoy in marriage.”

For the next several days, we will examine the responsibilities of both spouses in a truly biblical marriage relationship. Hopefully, couples will be challenged and edified and the Lord will be glorified. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!    

¹⁸ “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18–20 (ESV)

A believer in Christ is to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of such filling includes singing praises to God with fellow believers in a corporate worship setting. The filling of the Spirit also includes personal worship. Making melody to the Lord in one’s mind, emotions and will should not only frame our weekly corporate worship but also our daily worship.

Another evidence the Apostle Paul gives for the Holy Spirit’s filling is the discipline and attitude of thanksgiving. Giving thanks means to actively and consistently express gratitude to God. Believers in Christ should be grateful to God not only for who He is, but also what He has done. Believers in Christ are to be always grateful to God for everything in their lives.

The Apostle Paul cites one more evidence of the Spirit’s filling. It is personal and relational submission. Submitting (ὑποτάσσω; hypotasso) means to willingly obey, and be obedient (Luke 2:51; Eph. 5:22). It also means to bring oneself under control, and to put in subjection (1 Cor.  15:27; Eph. 1:22; Php. 3:21; Heb. 2:5, 8). It is the Holy Spirit who does this work in the believer’s heart.

The Strong’s Greek Lexicon explains that submission is a “Greek military term meaning ‘to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader’. In non-military use, it was ‘a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden’.”

It is the believers’ reverence (φόβος; phobos), fear and awe of Christ that prompts this voluntary attitude and behavior of submission. Submission cannot be demanded by an individual towards an individual. It must be truly voluntary for the act of submission to be truly biblical. This is especially true in the marriage relationship which the Apostle Paul will be addressing in Ephesians 5:22-33.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Regardless of their social rank, all Christians should pattern their social behavior on the humility and kindness of Christ (4:32-5:2; Luke 22:24-27; John 13:14-16).”   

Every one of us submits to someone at some place and time. It may be an employer, teacher, spouse, parent or a fellow believer in Christ. May each of us do so because of our reverence and awe of Christ and not because of intimidation by another individual.

Soli deo Gloria!   

¹⁸ “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Ephesians 5:18–20 (ESV)

A believer in Christ is to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of such filling includes singing praises to God with fellow believers in a corporate worship setting. The filling of the Spirit also includes personal worship. Making melody to the Lord in one’s mind, emotions and will should not only frame our weekly corporate worship but also our daily worship.

A third evidence the Apostle Paul gives as evidence of the Holy Spirit’s filling is the discipline and attitude of thanksgiving. Giving thanks (εὐχαριστέω; eucharisteo) means to actively and consistently express gratitude to God. Believers in Christ should be grateful to God not only for who He is, but also what He has done.

Paul states that this attitude and discipline of giving thanks should be done always (πάντοτε; pantote) or at all times. Believers not only should give thanks to God all the time, but also in everything (πᾶς; pas). This means in every situation and circumstance. This parallels I Thessalonians 5:18 which says, “give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Believers are to always give thanks for everything to God the Father. This can and may be done solely because of the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Christians’ Lord and Savior.

Nineteenth century theologian Dr. Charles Hodge writes, “Christ gives us access to the Father; we come to God through Him (Christ); He (Christ) gives the right to come, and it is on Him (Christ) we depend for acceptance when we come.”   

Soli deo Gloria!