Basic Principles
A Sermon on Ephesians 5:22-23
Originally preached Jan. 24, 1960
Scripture
22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For 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.
Sermon Description
The most important principle for understanding the apostle Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 5:22–23 is his command that all “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” In this sermon on Ephesians 5:22–23 titled “Basic Principles,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones notes that all relationships and all that the Christian does must be done out of love of God and love of neighbor. There is no place for self-centered and self-serving attitudes in the Christian life. When people do not have this principle as the guide to relationships, things go wrong. Much of modern society is a testament to this fact in the commonness of divorce. This is because people have rejected God’s way and set up their own. As all Christians know, belief and practice cannot be separated from one another. But this is precisely what happens in modern society when people do not have the proper understanding of marriage. They say it is simply a human contract that can be broken any time by anyone. This rejection of the Christian view of marriage is a testament to what happens when people reject God’s word as the only sure and true foundation for human life and practice.
Sermon Breakdown
- Becoming a Christian does not mean we will automatically be right in all we think and do. There are new problems to confront.
- Christianity speaks to all of life. There should be no compartments.
- Christian teaching does not contradict fundamental biblical teaching. The NT supplements but does not contradict the OT.
- The NT always gives reasons for its teaching. It does not just issue rules but explains why.
- Doctrine and practice cannot be separated. Each helps and illustrates the other.
- When confronting any problem, do not approach it directly. Move from the general to the particular. Apply principles.
- The spirit in which we approach issues is vital. We must do all in submission to the Lord.
- The Christian view of marriage is unique, found only in Scripture. It is not the common view of marriage as only physical or a human arrangement.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Teaching on Marriage in Ephesians 5
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' approach to studying Ephesians 5:22-33 about marriage?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones approaches the study of Ephesians 5:22-33 on marriage indirectly rather than directly. He explains that we should never "approach it directly, never stop by considering the thing per se in and of itself." Instead, he advocates for "the strategy of the indirect approach" - starting with general biblical principles and then moving to the particular application. He emphasizes finding the overarching doctrines that cover the specific problem before addressing the individual case.
How does becoming a Christian affect one's views and challenges in marriage?
According to Lloyd-Jones, becoming a Christian doesn't automatically make a person correct in all their thoughts and actions regarding marriage. In fact, conversion often "will probably raise new problems which he's never had to confront before." He cites examples of cases where one spouse becomes a Christian and misinterprets Christian freedom, potentially disrupting the marriage relationship. Christianity brings new understanding that requires careful application to existing relationships.
What is the relationship between doctrine and practice in Paul's teaching on marriage?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out the "intimate relationship between doctrine and practice" in Paul's teaching, calling it "one of the most astounding" aspects of this passage. Though Ephesians 5 is in the "practical section" of the epistle, Paul introduces "the most exalted doctrine" about Christ and the Church when discussing marriage. Lloyd-Jones states: "doctrine and practice are so intimately related that they cannot be separated. And any person who says, I'm only interested in doctrine, or who says, I'm only interested in the practical is really denying the essence of the christian message."
How does the Christian view of marriage differ from secular views according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones identifies the Christian view of marriage as "unique" and "entirely different from every other view." He contrasts it with common secular views that see marriage as: 1. A "purely physical" relationship based on attraction and gratification 2. A "human arrangement and contrivance" developed through social evolution 3. A relationship that "almost expects trouble" with antagonism and competition
In contrast, the Christian view sees marriage as "God's ordinance" - not invented by humans but established by God, with terms "clearly and plainly stated" in Scripture, and fully understood only through understanding Christ's relationship with the Church.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the principle of submission in Ephesians 5?
Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul's teaching on wives submitting to husbands in verse 22 comes from the general principle in verse 21: "submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ." He offers three proofs for this connection: 1. The word "submit" in verse 22 is not in the original Greek, carrying over from verse 21 2. Paul addresses wives before husbands because he's primarily concerned with explaining submission 3. Paul emphasizes "your own husbands" to show that if Christians submit to others generally, they should especially submit to their spouses
The principle is ultimately rooted in mutual submission to Christ rather than self-assertion.
Why does Lloyd-Jones criticize compartmentalized Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones criticizes compartmentalized Christianity where people separate their "religious life" from their marriage, work, and other aspects of life. He states: "There must be no compartments in our christian life." He attributes some of Christianity's problems to Victorian Christians who were "religious" in church but then "became hard and grasping and unkind and unfair" in business. Christianity, he insists, "has something to say about the whole of our life" and "enters into my married life, into my relationship to parents, into my work, into everything I am and everything I do."
How should Christians approach disagreements according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should approach disagreements "in the fear of Christ." He criticizes partisan spirit, heated arguments, and standing for one's rights. Instead, he recommends: "You're having your argument on your knees... if only we conducted these matters of difficulty upon our knees, what a difference it would make." Christians should discuss problems with "a desire to please him, with a readiness always to be taught and to be led by him and by his word" rather than with animosity or a determination to prove oneself right.
Does the New Testament contradict Old Testament teaching on marriage?
No, according to Lloyd-Jones, "Christian teaching never contradicts or undoes fundamental biblical teaching with respect to life and living." He strongly refutes those who dismiss the Old Testament, stating that "the New Testament, the Christian, specifically christian teaching, never contradicts, never sets aside basic, fundamental biblical teaching with regard to human relationships and the orders of life." Christianity supplements Old Testament teaching and helps us "see the spirit behind the original injunction," but it never contradicts it.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.