Spurgeon Morning and Evening March 20 PM

Biblical Context

The letter to the Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul, likely from prison in Rome, around 60-62 AD. It was sent to the church in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor known for its temple to the goddess Artemis (Diana). This letter isn’t mainly a response to specific problems, like some of Paul’s other letters. Instead, it lays out God’s amazing plan for humanity through Christ and then shows how believers should live out that plan in their daily lives, both in the church and in their homes. Paul talks a lot about unity in Christ, the spiritual blessings we have, and then moves into practical instructions for how to walk worthy of our calling.

Ephesians chapter 5 is a key section where Paul shifts from talking about our identity in Christ to our conduct. He tells believers to walk in love, light, and wisdom, separating themselves from the darkness of the world. Then, from verse 22 onwards, he gives specific instructions for different household relationships: wives and husbands, children and parents, and slaves and masters. This structure was common in ancient Roman and Greek writing, often called ‘household codes.’ Paul uses this familiar format but fills it with uniquely Christian meaning, rooting all relationships in Christ’s relationship with the church. He isn’t just giving social rules; he’s showing how our earthly relationships can reflect a heavenly reality.

Key Word Study

Let’s look closely at the word “love” in our verse, Ephesians 5:25. The Greek word used here is agapē (ἀγάπη). This isn’t just any kind of love; it’s a very specific and powerful kind of love. In the Greek language, there were several words for love: eros for romantic or sensual love, philia for brotherly love or friendship, and storge for family affection. But Paul chooses agapē, which goes beyond feelings or natural affection. Agapē is a self-giving, active, and willing love. It’s a choice, a commitment, and it always seeks the highest good of the one loved, often at personal cost.

When the verse says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,” it’s calling for a love that isn’t based on how good your wife is or how she makes you feel. It’s based on Christ’s example, a love that gives everything, even life itself, for the beloved. It’s a sacrificial love, a steady love, a love that puts the other person first, just like Christ put the church first. This love isn’t weak; it’s the strongest kind of love there is, because it gives without expecting anything back, simply wanting the best for the other person.

Christ, Our Perfect Example

What a golden example Christ gives to His disciples! Few masters could venture to say, “If you would practise my teaching, imitate my life;” but as the life of Jesus is the exact transcript of perfect virtue, He can point to Himself as the paragon of holiness, as well as the teacher of it. You see, Jesus isn’t just telling us what to do; He’s showing us how to do it by how He lived every single day. His life wasn’t just good advice; it was a perfect picture of how God wants us to be. He can tell us to copy Him because His life had no flaws, no mistakes in how He loved or acted.

The Christian should take nothing short of Christ for his model. Under no circumstances ought we to be content unless we reflect the grace which was in Him. This isn’t about aiming for a little bit better; it’s about aiming for the very best. You shouldn’t settle for anything less than showing the same kind of good and kind spirit that Jesus had. As a husband, the Christian is to look upon the portrait of Christ Jesus, and he is to paint according to that copy. The true Christian is to be such a husband as Christ was to His church. This means you look at Jesus’s life, how He cared, how He served, how He sacrificed, and you try to make your own actions as a husband match that picture. You’re not just trying to be a good husband; you’re trying to be a Christ-like husband.

A Special, Peculiar Love

The love of a husband is special. The Lord Jesus cherishes for the church a peculiar affection, which is set upon her above the rest of mankind: “I pray for them, I pray not for the world.” (John 17:9, referring to the disciples who represent the church). You’re to understand that the love Christ has for His church isn’t just a general love for everyone; it’s a distinct, set-apart love for those who belong to Him. This elect church is the favourite of heaven, the treasure of Christ, the crown of His head, the bracelet of His arm, the breastplate of His heart, the very centre and core of His love. Just as Jesus gives a unique, deep love to His church, a husband is called to give that same kind of special, focused love to his wife. She isn’t just one among many; she is the special one, chosen and cherished by him above all others.

Constant and Enduring Affection

A husband should love his wife with a constant love, for thus Jesus loves His church. He does not vary in His affection. He may change in His display of affection, but the affection itself is still the same. Think about it: Christ’s love for you doesn’t go up and down based on your performance or mood. It’s steady. He might show it in different ways at different times, but the feeling itself, the deep love, doesn’t change. You, as a husband, are called to have that same steady, unchanging love for your wife. Your feelings might shift sometimes, or how you show your love might need to adapt, but the underlying, true love for her must stay the same.

A husband should love his wife with an enduring love, for nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39). This means your love for your wife isn’t just for today or tomorrow; it’s meant to last through everything. No hardship, no argument, no challenge, no outside force should be able to break that bond of love. Just like God’s love for us through Jesus is forever, your love for your wife is meant to be a lasting, unbreakable connection that stands strong no matter what comes your way.

Hearty and Delighted Love

A true husband loves his wife with a hearty love, fervent and intense. It is not mere lip-service. This isn’t just saying ‘I love you’ out of habit or obligation. It’s a love that comes from your deepest self, full of passion and strong feeling. It shows itself in your actions, your care, your effort—not just in words that don’t carry any weight. You give your whole heart to this love.

Ah! beloved, what more could Christ have done in proof of His love than He has done? Think about it: He gave His life, He served, He taught, He healed. His love wasn’t just a thought; it was active and complete. Jesus has a delighted love towards His spouse: He prizes her affection, and delights in her with sweet complacence. He doesn’t just tolerate the church; He finds joy in her. He values the love she gives Him and finds deep happiness and contentment in her presence. This is the kind of love you’re called to have for your wife: a love that finds joy in her, values her affection, and finds true contentment in being with her.

Are You Imitating It?

Believer, you wonder at Jesus’ love; you admire it—are you imitating it? This is the big question for you today. It’s easy to look at Christ’s perfect love and feel amazed by it. You might even talk about how wonderful it is. But the real test isn’t just admiring it; it’s doing it. In your domestic relationships is the rule and measure of your love—”even as Christ loved the church”? When you look at how you act with your wife, your family, the people closest to you, does your love stand up to the measure of Christ’s love for His church? Is it as special, as constant, as enduring, as hearty, and as delighted? This is the standard you’re called to live by.