a second the treasurer, and the third director of production. They were all partners and, as far as I could tell, equal in their qualifica tions for their respective jobs. As in a Christian marriage their dif ferences were positional and not personal. Paul is not saying that because men are somehow superior wo men should be treated as inferiors in marriage. He is simply stating that each woman should put her self in willing subjection to her own husband as the head of the family. A Christian wife sees the family as a divine institution in which the husband is given the re sponsibility of leadership, provi sion, protection, and devoted care. This is why she submits willingly. You see, in essence, a wife is submitting to the Lord when she willingly submits to her husband. It is for Jesus' sake since it is ac cording to His will. This is an in tensely spiritual matter. The pas sage does not teach mere obedi ence to the husband. By itself, this might feed his pride and do great damage. Obedience is to the Lord through the husband. The example is shown as the kind of obedience the church has to Christ. We do not serve Him with gritted teeth or a bitter spirit. Our devotion springs from loyalty to our Saviour. In many ways, the wife may be superior to her hus band. In a business organization a young vice-president might be sharper and more skilled than the president. Yet, he does not allow his ability to make him a competi tor, nor does he use his talents to take on work the boss has for him self. While he may actually be su perior that does not prevent him Page 14
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