The formal expression of the husband’s authority was made to Adam’s wife immediately after the fall. It was revealed to the one who was to be in the subject place. “Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
Will any husband be bold enough to assert that he has never abused his authority as husband? I’m sure not. Did not the Spirit of God foresee that Christian husbands would often fail in their exercise of authority, when He indited these pointed words, “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them”? (Col. 3:19). When does the God-given authority of a husband over a wife cease? When he fails in the exercise of it? No! Only when death intervenes is she loosed from the law of her husband. What is the divine remedy prescribed by the Lord for our wives when we have abused our authority? SUBMISSION! (Eph. 5:22-33.) That heals! Insubjection leads to a divorce court.