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Colossians Chapter Three

 
Chapter Three General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To see what Paul offers as the Christian solution in dealing with
 the problem of sin
 
2) To understand what our responsibilities are as "the elect of God, 
 holy and beloved"
 
SUMMARY
 
Having warned the brethren of the "Colossian Heresy", and the need to 
be established in the faith of Jesus Christ, Paul now offers a detailed
description of "The Christian Solution" to the problem of sin in their
lives. Rather than being deceived or swayed by false alternatives,
they need to seek those things above, where Christ is, to set their
minds on things above and not on the earth. This is because they have 
been raised with Christ (cf. Co 2:12) and their life is now hidden in
Christ, awaiting the day of His coming in which they will appear with 
Him in glory (1-4).
 
With minds set on Christ, they need to "put to death" those sins in 
which their earthly members engaged, and upon which the wrath of God is
coming. This is done by "putting off" the old man with his deeds, and 
"putting on" the new man who is being renewed in knowledge after the 
image of Christ. The deeds of the old man and the characteristics of 
the new man are defined by Paul, followed with exhortations to allow 
the "peace of God" to rule in their hearts and to let the "word of 
Christ" dwell in them richly. He also charges them to do all things in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father (5-17).
 
As so much of their daily lives revolve around the home, Paul also 
addresses the responsibilities of various family members as they serve
the Lord (18-4:1).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE CHRISTIAN SOLUTION (1-17)
 
 A. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE (1-4)
 1. Since you were raised with Christ, seek those things above
 (1-2)
 a. Where Christ is, seated at God's right hand (1)
 b. Not on the things on the earth (2)
 2. For you have died, one day to appear with Christ in glory
 (3-4)
 a. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God (3)
 b. When Christ appears, you will also appear with Him in glory
 (4)
 
 B. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN (5-9)
 1. Put to death the members of your body (5)
 a. Fornication 
 b. Uncleanness
 c. Passion
 d. Evil desire
 e. Covetousness, which is idolatry
 -- For the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of 
 disobedience, and you also once walked in such things (6-7)
 2. Put off the old man with his deeds (8-9)
 a. Anger
 b. Wrath
 c. Malice
 d. Blasphemy
 e. Filthy language
 f. Lying to one another
 
 C. PUT ON THE NEW MAN (10-17)
 1. In which you are renewed in the image of our Creator, where 
 there is neither:
 a. Greek nor Jew
 b. Circumcised nor uncircumcised
 c. Barbarian, Scythian
  d. Slave nor free
 -- But Christ, who is all and in all (10-11)
 2. As God's elect, put on Christ-like qualities (12-14)
 a. Tender mercies
 b. Kindness
 c. Humbleness of mind
 d. Meekness
 e. Longsuffering
 f. Bearing with one another
 g. Forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you
 h. Above all these things, put on love, the perfect tie that
 binds
 3. In addition...
 a. Let God's peace rule in your heart, and be thankful (15)
 b. Let Christ's word dwell in you richly, teaching and 
 admonishing one another with song, singing with grace in 
 your hearts to the Lord (16)
 c. Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, with 
 thanksgiving to God (17)
 
II. FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (18-4:1)
 
 A. WIVES TOWARD THEIR HUSBANDS (18)
 1. Submit to your own husbands
 2. As is fitting in the Lord
 
 B. HUSBANDS TOWARDS THEIR WIVES (19)
 1. Love your wives
 2. Do not be bitter toward them
 
 C. CHILDREN TOWARD THEIR PARENTS (20)
 1. Obey your parents in all things
 2. This is well pleasing to the Lord
 
 D. FATHERS TOWARD THEIR CHILDREN (21)
 1. Do not provoke your children
 2. Or they may become discouraged
 
 E. SERVANTS TOWARD THEIR MASTERS (22-25)
 1. Obey your earthly masters in all things (22)
 a. Not with eye-service, seeking only to please men
 b. But with sincerity of heart, fearing God
 2. Do your work heartily (23-24)
 a. As to the Lord and not to men (23)
 b. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance
 (24)
 3. He who does wrong... (25)
 a. Will be repaid for the wrong he does
 b. There will be no partiality
 
 F. MASTERS TOWARD THEIR SERVANTS (4:1)
 1. Give your servants what is just and fair
 2. Knowing that you also have a Master in heaven
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - The Christian solution (1-17)
 - Familial responsibilities (18-4:1)
 
2) What two-fold charge is given to those who have been raised with 
 Christ? (1-2)
 - Seek those things which are above, where Christ is
 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth
 
3) Where is our "life" at the present? When shall it appear? (3-4)
 - Hidden with Christ in God
 - When Christ appears (i.e., His Second Coming)
 
4) What sins are we to "put to death"? (5)
 - Fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness
 (which is idolatry)
 
5) Why must we put them to death? (6)
 - Because the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience
 
6) What other sins must we "put off"? (8,9)
 - Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying to one 
 another
 
7) What have we "put off", and what have we "put on"? (9-10)
 - We have "put off the old man with his deeds"
 - We have "put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according
 to the image of Him who created him" (i.e., Christ)
 
8) As God's elect (chosen), holy and beloved, what are we to "put on"?
 (12-14)
 - Tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, 
 longsuffering, bearing with one another, forgiving one another as
  Christ forgave us, and love
 
9) What must we allow the "peace of God" do? (15)
 - Rule in our hearts
 
10) What must we allow the "word of Christ" do? (16)
 - Dwell in our hearts richly
 
11) How are we to teach and admonish one another? (16)
 - In psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our
 hearts to the Lord
 
12) How are we to do all things, whether in word or deed? (17)
 - In the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father 
 through Him
 
13) What is the duty of wives? (18)
 - To submit to their own husbands
 
14) What is the duty of husbands? (19)
 - To love their wives and not be bitter toward them
 
15) What is the duty of children? (20)
 - To obey their parents in all things
 
16) What is the duty of fathers? (21)
 - Not to provoke their children
 
17) What is the duty of servants? (22-23)
 - To obey their masters in all things
 - Not with eye-service, as pleasing men, but in sincerity of heart,
 fearing God
 - To do all things heartily, as to the Lord
 
18) What positive motivation is there for a servant to so act? What
 negative motivation? (24-25)
 - Serving the Lord Christ, they will receive the reward of the 
 inheritance
 - Those who do wrong will be repaid, with no partiality being shown
 
19) What is the duty of masters? What motivation is offered to do 
 this? (4:1)
 - To give their servants what is just and fair
 - They too have a Master, one who is heaven

Basics For Living In Christ (3:1-11)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In chapters 1-2, Paul has maintained that Christ is "all-sufficient"
 in matters of salvation and overcoming sin - cf. Co 2:10
 
2. Beginning now in chapter 3, Paul gives some basic and practical
 admonitions that pertain to living a life in Christ
 
3. When carried out, these "Basics For Living In Christ" will assure
 that we find in Christ everything we need for this life and the one 
 to come
 
[The first admonition is found in verses 1-4...]
 
I. SEEK THE HEAVENLY (1-4)
 
 A. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE (1-2)
 1. Why is this so important?
 a. It is essential if we desire to be "transformed" - Ro 12:2
 b. It is necessary if we want to be able to "live according to
 the Spirit" - Ro 8:5-6
 2. How do we "seek those things which are above"?
 a. By directing our minds' attention to such things mentioned
 in Ph 4:8
 b. More specifically, by setting our attention on the Word of
 God, where we find:
 1) Christ foreshadowed and foretold in the Old Testament
 2) Christ's life and teachings in the Gospels
 3) Christ's church in the Book of Acts
 4) Christ's fuller teachings in the Epistles
 5) Christ's encouragement and ultimate victory in the Book
 of Revelation
 
 B. FURTHER REASONS TO SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE (3-4)
 1. We "died" (3)
 a. This occurs when one is baptized into Christ, which is a
 burial into His death in which we are "crucified with Him" 
 - Ro 6:3-6
 b. We "died" to sin , that we might be free from sin and now 
 live with Christ - Ro 6:7-13
 2. Thus, we were also "raised with Christ" (1)
 a. Which occurs when one comes forth from baptism - Co 2:12
 ("...in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him...")
 b. We were raised so that we might "walk in newness of life" 
 - Ro 6:4
 3. Our life is "hidden with Christ in God" (3)
 a. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: "I have been crucified with
 Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
 and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith
 in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." 
  - Ga 2:20
 b. We have denied self, crucified self, so it is now Christ Who
 is to live in us!
 4. When Christ appears in glory, so will we! (4)
 a. The first three reasons for us to "seek the heavenly" were
  based upon what has happened in the PAST
 b. This motivation is predicated upon what is promised for the
 FUTURE!
 
[And what a wonderful promise that is! But to obtain that promise 
requires not only that we set our "minds" on things proper, but that we
properly deal with our "bodies" as well.
 
To put it another way, from verses 5-9 we learn that we must also...]
 
II. SLAY THE EARTHLY (5-9)
 
 A. WE MUST "PUT TO DEATH" THE SENSUAL SINS (5-7)
 1. Those that appeal to the "lust of the flesh"
 a. Fornication
 1) Grk., porneia {por-ni'-ah}
 2) A general term for any illicit sexual intercourse;
 includes adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality
 b. Uncleanness
 1) Grk., akatharsia {ak-ath-ar-see'-ah}
 2) Uncleanness in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful,
 luxurious, profligate living
 c. Passion (inordinate affection, KJV)
 1) Grk., pathos {path'-os}
 2) Used by the Greeks in either a good or bad sense; in the
 NT in a bad sense, it means depraved passion, vile
 passions
 d. Evil desire (evil concupiscence, KJV)
 1) Grk., epithumia {ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah}
  2) Desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden,
 lust
 2. Also that which appeals to the "lust of the eyes"
 a. Covetousness
 1) Grk., pleonexia {pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah}
 2) Greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice
 b. Described by Paul to be equivalent to idolatry!
 1) For covetousness puts things in the place of God
 2) We are to set our minds on things above (where God is),
 but when we covet material objects we have our minds on
 things below, making such objects our idols!
 3. Motivation for putting these things to death
 a. To avoid the coming wrath of God! - Co 2:6-7
 b. It's one thing to do these things when we "lived in them",
 but in Christ we have "died to them"!
 
 B. WE MUST ALSO "PUT OFF" THE SOCIAL SINS (8-9)
 1. Sins of the "emotions"
 a. Anger
 1) Grk., orge {or-gay'}
 2) Movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any
 violent emotion, but esp. anger
 b. Wrath
 1) Grk., thumos {thoo-mos'}
 2) Passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon
 subsiding again
 c. Malice
  1) Grk., kakia {kak-ee'-ah}
 2) Malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure
 2. Sins of the "tongue"
 a. Blasphemy
 1) Grk., blasphemia {blas-fay-me'-ah}
 2) Slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good 
 name; impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine
 majesty
 b. Filthy language (filthy communication, KJV)
 1) Grk., aischrologia {ahee-skhrol-og-ee'-ah}
 2) Foul speaking, low and obscene speech
 c. Lying
 1) Grk., pseudomai {psyoo'-dom-ahee}
 2) To lie, to speak deliberate falsehoods; to deceive one by
 a lie, to lie to
 3. The reason for putting off all these things: we must complete
 in PRACTICE what we started in PRINCIPLE - Co 3:9b
 a. When we were baptized, we "put off" the old man with his 
 deeds (in principle)
 - Co 2:11-12; 3:9
 b. In practice, it does not occur overnight, thus the need for
 such admonitions as: "But now you must also put off all
 these..." - Co 3:8
 
[Finally, and briefly, we notice in verses 10-11 an admonition by
Paul which will be expanded upon in the next section (12-17). He
encourages us to...]
 
III. STRENGTHEN THE CHRISTLY (10-11)
 
 A. FOR WE HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN (10)
 1. In baptism into Christ, we "put on Christ" - Ga 3:27
 2. Thus, in PRINCIPLE we also put on "the new man" who is renewed
 "according to the image of Him who created him"
 3. What we have done in PRINCIPLE (Co 3:10), we will need to do
 in PRACTICE (cf. Co 3:12)
 
 B. FOR THE GOAL IS "CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL" (11)
 1. To be renewed according to the image of Christ! - cf. Ro 8:29
 2. To become like Christ, and in so doing, destroy the barriers
 that have long divided man!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. This is what might be called "the whole duty of man" in New Testament
 terms: to be renewed according to the image of Christ!
 
2. To accomplish this goal, we must heed the admonitions of Paul and...
 a. Seek The Heavenly
 b. Slay The Earthly
 c. Strengthen The Christly
 
3. We will examine more what is involved in "strengthening the Christly"
 in the next study (verses 12-17)
 
4. For now, did you notice that everything in this chapter assumes that
 one has been "raised with Christ" (cf. Co 3:1, "IF THEN you were
 raised with Christ...")?
 a. How are we raised with Christ?
 b. Paul has already described how, in Co 2:11-13, where we learn
 that it is in baptism that God will raise one who has faith in the
 working of God!
 c. Have you been baptized into Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
 your sins (Ac 2:38), and to be able to walk in newness of life
 (Ro 6:3-5)...?

The Christian's Apparel (3:12-17)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the first part of the third chapter of the Epistle to the
 Colossians, we have noticed several admonitions for living the full
 life in Jesus Christ:
 a. "Seek The Heavenly" (3:1-4)
 b. "Slay The Earthly" (3:5-9)
 c. "Strengthen The Christly" (3:10-11)
 
2. Beginning in verses 8-10, Paul uses the metaphor of "putting off"
 and "putting on" to describe what is necessary to grow as Christians
 
3. He continues this metaphor in verse 12, as he expands upon the
 things Christians are to "put on"
 
4. As we examine verses 12-17, we shall do so from the perspective of
 what constitutes "The Christian's Apparel"; that is, those things
 we must "put on" to be properly adorned as disciples of Jesus Christ
 
[Observe from verses 12-14, then, how we must adorn ourselves with...]
 
I. THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST (12-14)
 
 A. EIGHT VIRTUES ARE LISTED THAT WE ARE TO "PUT ON"...
 1. Two describe HOW WE ARE TO TREAT OTHERS
  a. Tender mercies (bowels of mercies, KJV)
 1) Grk., splagchnon {splangkh'-non} oiktirmos {oyk-tir-mos'}
 2) The first word literally means "bowels...for the bowels
 were regarded by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer
 affections, esp. kindness, benevolence, compassion"
 3) The second word describes "compassion, pity, mercy"
 4) Thus we are to have "bowels in which compassion resides",
 or as we might say today, a heart of compassion
 b. Kindness
 1) Grk., chrestotes {khray-stot'-ace}
 2) Benignity, kindness
 2. Two depict THE STATE OF MIND WE ARE TO POSSESS
 a. Humility (humbleness of mind, KJV)
 1) Grk., tapeinophrosune {tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay}
 2) The having a humble opinion of one's self; a deep sense 
 of one's (moral) littleness; modesty, humility, lowliness
 of mind
 b. Meekness
 1) Grk., praotes {prah-ot'-ace}
 2) Gentleness, mildness, meekness
 3. Three virtues relate to HOW WE SHOULD ACT WHEN MISTREATED
 a. Longsuffering
 1) Grk., makrothumia {mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah}
 2) Patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in 
 avenging wrongs 
 b. Bearing with one another
 1) The word "bearing" (forbearing, KJV) is anechomai 
 {an-ekh'-om-ahee}
 2) To sustain, to bear, to endure
 c. Forgiving one another
 1) The word "forgiving" is charizomai {khar-id'-zom-ahee}
 2) Meaning "to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), 
 to do a favor to, gratify; to grant forgiveness, to 
 pardon"
 3) Forgiving others is demanded, because we have been 
 forgiven by Christ!
 4. The final virtue mentioned is LOVE
 a. The Grk. word is agape {ag-ah'-pay}, meaning good will, 
 benevolence
 b. It is described by Paul as "the bond of perfection"
 1) I.e., "the perfect tie that binds" the other virtues 
 together (like a belt binds pieces of clothing)
 2) Without love, none of the other virtues can last; with 
 it, the others can be easily maintained
 
 B. TOGETHER, THESE VIRTUES DISPLAY "THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST"...
 1. Are they not the qualities of Jesus that endear us to Him?
 2. If we adorn these virtues, then, we will be adorning ourselves
 with the "character of Christ"!
 3. Is this not the very idea of Co 3:10?
 
[Wouldn't it be wonderful, if we could be more successful in "putting 
on" the character of Christ?
 
 * Think of the churches that could have been spared divisions and
 contentions!
 
 * Think of the families that could have been saved, if more
 Christians had so adorned themselves!
 
Remember, it begins with "seeking the heavenly" (3:1-4) and "slaying
the earthly" (3:5-9).
 
At this point, I am stretching Paul's metaphor of "putting on" further
than he did, but to "the character of Christ" we must also adorn
ourselves with...]
 
II. THE PEACE OF GOD (15)
 
 A. THIS "PEACE OF GOD" MUST RULE IN OUR HEARTS...
 1. Why? Because we were called to be at peace in one body (the
 church)!
 a. Jesus died on the cross to make peace! - Ep 2:14-18
 b. If we disrupt the peace of the body (church), we disrupt the
 work of Christ on the cross!
 c. Thus, we must be diligent to "keep the unity of The Spirit 
 in the bond peace" - Ep 4:3
 2. Generally, where there is contention and strife, it is among 
 members of the body who are not letting the peace of God rule 
 in THEIR hearts
 3. Peace in the body (the church) begins with peace ruling in our
 hearts!
 
 B. LETTING THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN OUR HEARTS...
 1. It must start with our setting our minds on things above
 a. Remember, this passage assumes that we are carry out the
  admonition in Co 3:1-2
 b. Only a mind that is "spiritual" can enjoy peace from God
 - cf. Ro 8:5-6
 2. It is experienced as we engage in thankful prayer
 a. Paul tells us to be thankful in Co 3:15
 b. But he makes the connection between thankful prayer and the
 peace of God more clearly in Ph 4:6-7
 3. And it comes as we follow the teachings and example of the
 apostles, like Paul - cf. Ph 4:9
 
[Again, how wonderful it would be for churches and families if all
professing Christians would adorn themselves with such qualities as
"the character of Christ" and "the peace of God"!
 
But there is more we need to add to our "wardrobe"...]
 
III. THE WORD OF CHRIST (16)
 
 A. WE ARE TO LET THE WORD OF CHRIST "DWELL" IN US...
 1. That is, the Word is to live, to abide, to have free course in
 our lives
 2. This is possible only through a serious effort to learn it (via
 self-study, Bible classes, sermons, etc.)
 3. But learning is only the FIRST step!
 a. For the Word to truly "dwell" in us, we must OBEY it!
 b. Sadly, many who study never make the application, and remain
 "hearers only" - cf. Ja 1:22-25
 
 B. NOTICE ALSO THAT THE WORD IS TO DWELL IN US "RICHLY"...
 1. This happens when we add to our "study" of the Word of God the
 element of "song"
 a. This truth we glean as we notice HOW Paul says we are to let
 the Word dwell in us richly...
 b. I.e., by "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
 hymns..."
 2. Does this not make sense? For if the Word is to dwell in us
 "richly"...
 a. It must not only involve the MIND through study
 b. It must also involve the HEART (emotions) through song!
 
 C. THIS EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF "PROPER SINGING"...
 1. It is the means through which the Word of Christ dwells in us 
 "richly"
 2. For this to happen, of course, we must sing properly
  a. We must understand what we are singing (otherwise, we are
 not taught and admonished)
 b. Our heart (emotions) must be involved, otherwise we are not
 singing "with grace in our hearts"
 c. Fortunately, this does not require formal voice training,
 for the emphasis is not on how it sounds to the ear, but how
 it touches the heart!
 d. Thus, ALL can and should sing (in the heart at least, if
 unable to do so with the mouth)
 3. For those who have not learned the "joy of singing", they are
 depriving themselves of the means God intended for the Word to
 dwell in us "richly"!
 
[Through singing, then, we can add to "The Christian's Apparel" the
"Word of Christ".
 
Finally, the "The Christian's Apparel" must also include...}
 
IV. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST (17)
 
 A. THIS REALLY COMPLETES "THE CHRISTIAN'S APPAREL"...
 1. For if we say or do ALL "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (that 
 is, by His authority)
 2. Then it is evident that we have really "put on" the LORD Jesus 
 Christ in our lives!
 
 B. SADLY, MANY FAIL TO ADORN THEMSELVES WITH A RESPECT FOR CHRIST'S
 AUTHORITY...
 1. What they do, they do by their own authority, "in the name of
 personal preference"
 a. They worship in whatever way pleases them, rather than seek
 out in the Word of God what pleases the Lord
 b. They make the church "in their own image", adding the 
 traditions of men to the commands of God!
 2. But in view of what the Lord taught, we should remember...
 a. There is a such a thing as "vain worship"! - Mt 15:7-9
 b. Many religious people will still be lost, because they did 
  not submit to the "will of the Father" - Mt 7:21-23
 1) Instead, they practiced "lawlessness"
 2) Grk., anomia {an-om-ee'-ah}, the condition of without 
 law, because ignorant of it, or because of violating it
  3. Therefore, "...whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the 
 name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
 Him." - Co 3:17
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. We have suggested that four things make up "The Christian's Apparel"
 a. The Character of Christ
 b. The Peace of God
 c. The Word of Christ
 d. The Authority of Christ
 
2. Certainly the world (and many churches) would be a much better place
 if all who profess Jesus to be Lord so adorned themselves
 
3. But what other motives might there be to do so? Four are given in
 this passage...
 a. We are "God's elect" (His chosen ones) - Co 3:12
 b. We are "holy" (set apart for a sacred purpose) - Co 3:12
 c. We are "beloved by God" - Co 3:12
 d. We have been "forgiven by Christ" - Co 3:13
 
Are not these reasons sufficient to put on "The Christian's Apparel"?

Guidelines For The Family And Business (3:18-4:1)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The theme throughout the Book of Colossians is that Jesus Christ is 
 our "All-Sufficient And Pre-Eminent Savior" - cf. Co 1:16-18; 2:3,
 9-10
 
2. As a demonstration of Jesus as our "all-sufficient" Savior, we now 
 find His apostle Paul giving guidelines by which we can successfully
 conduct our family and business matters! - Co 3:18-4:1
 
3. This passage illustrates that the "pre-eminence" of Christ reaches 
 even to the secular concerns of our lives
 
[Beginning with verse 18, let's examine some of these guidelines Christ
has given us...]
 
I. WIVES, SUBMIT TO YOUR HUSBANDS (18)
 
 A. DEFINING THE WORD "SUBMIT"...
 1. The Greek word is hupotasso {hoop-ot-as'-so}
 2. It means to...
 a. arrange under, to subordinate
 b. subject, put in subjection
 c. subject one's self, obey
 d. submit to one's control
 e. yield to one's admonition or advice
 f. obey, be subject
 3. Thus, wives are to be in submission to their husbands, "as to 
 the Lord" (Ep 5:22)
 
 B. THIS IS SAID TO BE "FITTING IN THE LORD"...
 1. The word "fitting"...
 a. Grk., aneko {an-ay'-ko}
 b. To pertain to what is due, duty, as was fitting
 2. To be willing to submit to another is certainly in keeping with
 Jesus' own teaching and example - Mt 20:25-28
 3. It is also in keeping with what is expected of ALL Christians...
 a. We are to submit to one another - Ep 5:21
 b. We are to submit those who rule over us in the faith 
 - He 13:17
 c. We are to submit to the ordinances of government 
  - 1 Pe 2:13-15
 d. Christian servants were to submit to their masters 
 - 1 Pe 2:18
 e. Younger Christians are to submit to the elders, and to one
 another as well, even as we submit to God - 1 Pe 5:5-7
 
 C. IF WIVES DO NOT SUBMIT TO THEIR HUSBANDS...
 1. They may never win their unbelieving husbands to Christ - cf. 
 1 Pe 3:1-2
 2. God will not be gracious to them - cf. 1 Pe 5:5
 3. There is even a possibility that it may have a strong bearing 
 on the sexual orientation of the children!
 a. A study by Dr. Irving Bieber was made of the family 
 background of 106 male homosexuals (cf. "What Everyone
 Should Know About Homosexuality", LaHaye, p. 71-72)
 b. Dr. Bieber found that:
 1) 81 mothers were dominating
 2) 62 of the mothers were overprotective
 3) 66 mothers made the homosexual their favorite child
 4) 82 of the fathers spent very little time with their sons
 5) 79 fathers maintained a detached attitude toward them
 c. The more "modern" man learns through tested research, the 
 more we begin to realize that Jesus and His Word were right
 all along!
  1) Whatever the subject, Christ certainly knows best
 2) And He should...remember, He's the Creator of all things!
 
[And now, for an often much needed word to the husbands...]
 
II. HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES (19)
 
 A. PAUL EXPANDS UPON THIS THEME IN HIS LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS...
 1. Our role model is Christ, and His love for the Church 
 - Ep 5:25-27
 a. Husbands are to love their wives just as Christ loved the 
 Church
 b. I.e., with a sacrificial love
 2. Another example is the kind of love we have for ou