Honoring Our Partner

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Now we come to the issue of giving honor to our partner. In the divine example of marriage, it is a marvelous thing that we read in Ephesians 1:22-2322And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23), that the church is “the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.” And again, in 2 Thessalonians 1:10, we read that “He will be glorified in His saints, and admired in all them that believe.” What a place of honor the church will occupy in association with Christ, the Bridegroom, in that day. Did we deserve it? No! It is all of grace. Surely, we ought to be rejoicing and giving honor to Him in return for all He has done for us and for all that He means to us day by day. In all eternity we will be giving glory and honor to the Lord Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom.
Practical Application
for Husbands and Wives
Now this has a practical application in marriage. The Bible says that the wife is to reverence her husband (Eph. 5:3333Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)), for God has said that the husband is the head, as Christ is the head of the spiritual body, the church (Eph. 5:2323For 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. (Ephesians 5:23)). Of course, it is important that we who are husbands should act in such a way as to win the respect of our wives. There are those thoughtful gestures that mean so much and help our wives to respect us. The wife should respect her husband because the Bible tells her to do so, but our thoughtful consideration of her needs and feelings will make it easier (a pleasure) for her to do so.
On our part as husbands, we are to remember that the Bible says to us, “Giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). This is a very important part of marriage, for we are “one flesh,” and “no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth it and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (Eph. 5:2929For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (Ephesians 5:29)).
The church, as we know, is the bride of Christ. Though in a somewhat different connection, it is instructive to read in Romans 12:1010Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; (Romans 12:10) (JND), “As to honor, each taking the lead in paying it to the other.” While there are, no doubt, ways and means that we can win and keep the respect of our partners, making it easier for them, we must remember that we are not perfect or always right; nevertheless, we should be careful not to speak disrespectfully to, or about, our partner — husband or wife.
G. H. Hayhoe (adapted)