Found this article in some old papers of Julie's grandpa, Lloyd Treat. He has some great stuff there. Read this and let me know what you think. Anyway, some good stuff on marriage right here.
Ephesians 5v25-33: Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother and the two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Netherless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Here we see that marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. Husbands have the responsibility to love their wives even as Christ loved the church. Christ's love was self sacrificing, so likewise a husband should sacrifice self giving preference to his wife, caring and nourishing her. If a husband loves his wife as much as Christ loved the church then surely the wife will find it easier to submit herself to her husband. Paul concludes the passage by exalting men to love their wives as themselves.
1 Corinthians 7v3-5: Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Husbands here are commanded not to deny their bodies from their wives. Unless it is for an agreed pre-determined period of time to give themselves more fully unto the Lord. Paul warns that the time must be agreed before hand lest Satan should tempt them.
1 Corinthians 7v11b-12: .. let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not. 1 Corinthians 7v14-16: For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us unto peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Husbands are exalted here not to put away their wives. Even if he is a believer but she is not, he should not seek a divorce, but if she desires to leave then he should let her leave peacefully. The believing husband should continue to live with the non-believing wife for two reasons. First, by having a believing husband she is sanctified. Note not saved but seperated out from the world and married unto a believer. Secondly, he does not know if what she sees of the Lord in him may yet turn her to Christ.
Colossions 3v19: Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Husbands are here reminded to love their wives and not to be bitter against them for any reason.
1 Peter 3v7: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Marriage is a partnership, husbands and wives have different roles to fulfil but both should be seen on an equal level and as fellow heirs of grace. Husbands are here reminded that failing to give honour to their wives, i.e. failing to fulfil their role in the partnership, will cause their prayers to be hindered.
