In our common work and worship, in all the offices of life this is the Christian law. No man within Christ's Church, however commanding his powers, may set himself above the duty of submitting his judgement and will to that of his fellows. In mutual subjection lies our freedom, with our strength and peace.
[138] See ch. i. 5-11, ii. 21, iii. 11, v. 10, vi. 6; comp. Col. i. 9, 27, iv. 12; Phil. ii. 13,--epistles of the same group.
=Thelô de hymas eidenai hoti pantos andros hê kephalê ho Christos estin, kephalê de gynaikos ho anêr, kephalê de tou Christou ho Theos.=--1 COR. xi. 3.
"And pure Religion breathing household laws."
"Wives, _be in subjection_ to your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as the Christ also is the head of the Church, _being_ Himself the saviour of the body. But as the Church is subject to the Christ, so let the wives also _be_ to their husbands in everything.
"Husbands, love your wives, even as the Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present the Church to Himself a glorious _Church_, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and without blemish.
"Even so ought husbands also to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself: for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Christ also the Church; because we are members of His body. 'For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the twain shall become one flesh.' This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the Church. Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and _let_ the wife _see_ that she fear her husband."--EPH. v. 22-33.
In mutual subjection the Christian spirit has its sharpest trials and attains its finest temper. "Be subject one to another," was the last word of the apostle's instructions respecting the "walk" of the Asian Churches. By its order and subjection the gifts of all the members of Christ's body are made available for the upbuilding of God's temple. The inward fellowship of the Spirit becomes a constructive and organizing force, reconstituting human life and framing the world into the kingdom of Christ and God. "In fear of Christ" the loyal Christian man submits himself to the community; not from the dread of human displeasure, but knowing that he must give account to the Head of the Church and the Judge of the last day, if his self-will should weaken the Church's strength and interrupt her holy work. "For the Lord's sake" His freemen submit to every ordinance of men. This is such a fear as the servant has of a good master (vi. 5), or the true wife for a loving husband (ver. 33),--not that which "perfect love casts out," but which it deepens and sanctifies.