The Order of Creation
A Sermon on Ephesians 5:22-24
Originally preached Jan. 31, 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. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let …
Sermon Description
What does God’s word say about marriage? Sadly, what it does say is often misunderstood and attacked because it confronts the thinking of today. In this sermon on Ephesians 5:22–24 titled “The Order of Creation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that Scripture alone presents a balanced view of the roles and responsibilities within marriage. Only in Scripture is it taught that wives are to submit to their husbands in love and respect just as Jesus Christ submits to God. There is no authoritarianism because the husband’s role as leader is one of love and service, not domination and cruelty. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows how this view of marriage is taught from the beginning of the Bible in Genesis before the fall. Even in the perfect Garden of Eden, woman was created as a helper for man. Even before the fall, man was the head, provider, and protector of the woman in the relationship between husband and wife. Paul expounds on the teaching in Ephesians 5:22–24 and is not saying anything different from the rest of the Bible. So those who reject this teaching of male headship are not only rejecting the teachings of the historic Christian church, but also of God’s infallible word. The rejection of the biblical understanding of marriage is at the heart of many of society’s problems. When people try to live in direct contradiction to God’s plan, there is always suffering and unrest.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is addressing wives in Ephesians 5:22-24 and exhorting them to submit to their husbands.
- Wives should submit to their husbands "as unto the Lord" - meaning ultimately for Christ's sake and to please Him. It is part of a wife's Christian duty and discipleship.
- The first reason wives should submit is because of the created order - God made man first and gave him authority. Man is the head of the woman.
- The fall brought changes, including that a wife's desire would be for her husband and he would rule over her. A wife's subordination increased after the fall.
- The submission of a wife to her husband does not mean she is inferior or a slave. She is different and a complement. She should not usurp man's God-given authority.
- An illustration of the relationship is Christ's submission to God the Father. It is a voluntary submission for the purpose of salvation. Another illustration is the military, with soldiers submitting to leaders.
- The failure to understand and implement this biblical teaching on marriage is causing many of the world's problems today, like chaos, lack of authority, divorce, family breakdown, juvenile delinquency, and more.
- In many places today, like the U.S., there is a matriarchal society with women dominating in the home. This goes against God's design and is like Eve's original sin.
- Psychology and common sense cannot solve marriage problems. We must return to God's word and God's perfect plan for marriage with men and women in their proper roles.
Sermon Q&A
What Does the Bible Say About Wives Submitting to Husbands?
What does "submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord" mean in Ephesians 5:22?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, this phrase doesn't mean that wives should submit to husbands in exactly the same absolute way they submit to Christ. Rather, it means wives should submit to their husbands "because it is a part of your duty to the Lord, because it is an expression of your submission to the Lord." The primary motivation is not for the husband's sake alone, but ultimately for Christ's sake. As Lloyd-Jones explains, "You're doing it for Christ's sake. You're doing it because you know that he desires you to do it, because it is well pleasing in his sight."
Why does Paul teach that husbands are the head of the wife?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies two main reasons Paul gives for this teaching:
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The order of nature/creation: "The husband is the head of the wife" because of God's ordained order established at creation. Lloyd-Jones points out that "man was created first," "woman was made out of the man," and man was "meant to be a help for men." This is part of God's design before the Fall.
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The relationship between Christ and the Church: "Even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the savior of the body." This draws a parallel between the marriage relationship and Christ's relationship with the church.
Is this teaching just Paul's personal opinion or cultural bias?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly refutes the idea that this is merely Paul's personal opinion or cultural bias. He argues that:
- Paul always bases his teaching on Scripture, going back to Genesis and the order of creation
- Paul writes as an inspired apostle, and "what Paul writes is scripture"
- Paul himself elevated the status of women, teaching that "in Christ Jesus there was neither barbarian nor scythian bond, nor free, male nor female"
- Paul always balances his teaching with the husband's duties to the wife
Lloyd-Jones states emphatically: "You're not arguing with Paul, you are arguing with God. You're arguing with the Holy Ghost."
What if the wife is more capable than the husband?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses the common objection about cases where the wife is more capable than the husband. He offers two responses:
- No woman should marry a man unless she is prepared to submit to him, regardless of her gifts or abilities
- He shares a personal example of a highly intelligent, academically accomplished woman who skillfully supported her less intellectually gifted husband while maintaining his position as head of the home
Why is this teaching so important today?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that understanding and implementing this teaching is crucial because:
- The basic problem in the world today is "the problem of authority"
- The breakdown of authority often starts in the home and marriage relationship
- The increase in divorce rates reflects a failure to understand biblical teaching about marriage
- Family breakdown, indiscipline among children, and juvenile delinquency often stem from broken homes
- Men are increasingly "abrogating this position" of leadership in the home
- Feminism has sometimes led to an "aggressiveness" that undermines the father's role
He concludes that only by returning to God's design for marriage can these social problems be addressed properly.
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.