A Critical Analysis of Ephesians 5:21-33 in the Light of Christian Marriage in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Ephesians 5:21-33 focused on the relationship between husband and wife. However, the teachings of Ephesians 5:21-33 have been greatly ignored by some Christian couples in Ebonyi State and, consequently, resulted in marital problems such as domestic violence, divorce, frequent quarrelling, and so on. The study addressed this problem from the optic of Ephesians 5:21-33. The historical-critical method was used to study the text, while in-depth interviews served as a means of data collection. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select ten respondents who were willing to participate in the study. All data generated in the study were qualitatively analysed. The findings indicated that the call for wives to submit to their husbands does not imply inferiority but absolute obedience to the divine order in marriage. Also, the husband’s headship over the wife does not denote dominance but care, protection, service and love. The study encouraged Christian husbands and wives, especially in Ebonyi State, to love and submit to one another, thereby affirming the equality of husband and wife in dignity without denying their different roles.