Ephesians - Part 9: Men, Women, Submission, and Love

Gary Wilkerson

Ephesians 5:21–33 – In the beginning God created man and woman with a Trinitarian-type relationship of love and submission — a relationship with distinct roles and clear authority — but through the fall these roles were cursed. Genesis 3:16 says of the woman, “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” The word “desire” here is teshuqual, meaning desire to conquer or to come after and take the place. The word “rule” is mashal which implies a monarch or dictator ruling with absolute and uncaring authority. Through the redemption of the cross the relationship between husband and wife has been restored to one in which man and woman delight and have dignity in the roles God has given them.