Gospel Marriage: Counsel to Husbands, Part 1

I. Introduction. A. This is a God-glorifying, Christ-centered, gospel-saturated passage to stimulate our worship as Christians. B. The counsel to wives in vv. 22-24 is essentially to submit themselves, each one to her own husband. II. Husbands, Love Your Wives (vv. 25, 28, 33). A. The predominant responsibility for each husband toward his own wife is to love her. This is mainly what Jesus does for His church. B. To love one's wife was a bizarre notion to ancient Greeks. C. To love one's wife as required here is often misunderstood by us. D. This is "agape," not mainly romantic or sexual, but sacrificial benevolence consistent with sincere appreciation and high regard. E. The best men throughout church history have always known this. III. Even as Christ Loved the Church (vv. 25-27). IV. And as You Love Yourself (vv. 28-32). V. Concluding Exhortations to Both Spouses (v. 33).