Most of us are familiar with Ephesians 5:33... "let the wife see that she reverence her husband", and most of us have been told that scripture means we are to "respect" our husbands. In the NIV translation of the Bible it is even translated "respect". The problem is that the word that was translated "reverence" by the King James Version has a much deeper meaning than "respect" as we know it today.

 Since the Greek word used in this verse is phobeo, and it is the same word used to describe the utter awe the disciples felt for Jesus when He commanded the wind and waves to be still, I believe it is much more than just respect, especially as known in our culture today.

 In Ephesians 5, the scriptures repeatedly compare the husband and wife relationship in a marriage to the relationship between Christ and the Church: wives are to submit to their husbands as unto the Lord (Eph. 5:22), the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church, (Eph. 5:23), the wife is subject to the husband and the Church to Christ (Eph. 5:24), and the husband is to love his wife, cleanse, nourish and cherish her as Christ the Church (Eph. 5:25-29). So it stands to reason that even in reverence we are to look to the Christ/Church relationship as an example.

 If the Lord were in the room, would we make belittling jokes about Him? Neither should we do so to our husbands. If Christ were present, would we cut off His words and/or finish His sentences for Him? Somehow I doubt that we would. Why? Because we reverence Him. We'd be in total awe. I think we'd be doing well to still be able to speak in His presence.

 Now I know it is unrealistic to have that kind of reverence for another human being, even our husbands, but we can have that kind of reverence for the authority that is given to him by the Lord. We should be careful how we speak to him and how we speak about him, (especially in front of our children), and we should never, ever make him the butt of a joke.

 We should listen when he speaks and place great importance on what he says to us. We should let our admiration for him show, especially in public. Since his authority is given to him by the Lord Himself, we should treat our husband with deference and yes... even awe.

Many women would argue that submission to a husband is one-sided… he always gets his way… he automatically wins all the arguments… that it is terribly unfair to the wife. But those would be women who are ignorant of the peaceful inner workings of a marriage that is set up according to the Holy Scriptures.

Women who have surrendered their will to the Lord's, who have made the commitment to submit to their husbands regardless of the personal cost to themselves, have discovered a most surprising and beautiful reward in submission…

…for the husband of a wife truly committed to submission suddenly loathes to make her unhappy. While before he would have dug in his heels and resisted any effort she made to change his mind, now he openly seeks her opinion and most often will do anything in his power to please her, willingly and cheerfully giving up his own will when it is at all possible. He is most often gentle when he disagrees with her, and willing to discuss the reasons behind his decisions, listening to her input with an open heart. Rather than becoming a rampaging bully as one might expect, the opposite takes place. He becomes a compassionate leader with an open heart to the needs and desires of his wife.

Arguments become rare. There is peace in the home. The wife is cherished. The husband is respected. The marriage is strong.

That is the beauty of submission.

Silvia came into our lives about a year ago when Krista went to a concert at Southern Acres Christian Church and she found this little girl's picture on one of the tables. Then she called and nagged us to death until we came down there and signed up to become a World Vision sponsor.

I can't tell you how much joy it has brought to our family being able to sponsor and correspond with this little girl's family. I am always surprised at how close she is to my thoughts and how much I am able to care for a child I've never met in person.

In this picture she is wearing a twirl skirt and tee shirt I made her for Christmas. It is such a blessing to be able to make a difference in not only her life but the rest of her family's as well.

If you want to do something that brings alot of joy and fulfillment for only a small amount of money a month ($30), then go to www.worldvision.org and prayerfully sponsor a child.

I promise you won't regret it.

A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches ...Proverbs 11:16

As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion ...Proverbs 11:22

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones ...Proverbs 12:4

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands ...Proverbs 14:1

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. ...Proverbs 31:10-31

And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him ...1 Corinthians 7:13

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God ...1 Corinthians 11:3

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering ...1 Corinthians 11:15

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works ... 1 Timothy 2:9-10

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully ...1 Timothy 5:14

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed ...Titus 2:3-5

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. ...1 Peter 3:5-6

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto

Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. ...Ephesians 5:22-24

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. ...Colossians 3:18

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. ...1 Peter 3:1-6

 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God... Ephesians 5:21

 "Aha!" they say. "There we have it! We are to submit to each other. Mutual submission!"

 What they fail (or refuse) to see is that Ephesians chapter 5 continues. Ephesians 5:21 makes a sort of introduction... a topic sentence, so to speak... and then it goes on to tell us how we are to submit:

 Wives submit to your husbands (Ephesians 5:22)

 Children obey your parents (Ephesians 6:1)

 Slaves obey your masters (Ephesians 6:5)

 Remember, there were no chapters or verses in the Bible. It was all one text. Paul began his thought by saying we should submit to each other, and then he explained the correct order (or chain of command) in which we are to submit.

 No one argues that a parent should submit to their children, and it is ludicrous that a master would submit to their slaves. They do argue, however, that the Greek word used to describe a child's or a slave's obedience (hupakouo) is different than the word used to describe a wife's submission to their husband (hupatasso). Why this matters I do not know since both mean being under the authority of another, but just for the sake of argument, I'd like to point out that the word hupakouo IS used in example as to how a wife is to obey her husband in 1 Peter 3:6.

 Add that to the fact that a wife's submission to her husband is reiterated in Titus 2:5 and Colossians 3:18, I have a hard time understanding how any case could be made for mutual submission.