By: Richard Kay
Recently, while reading my Bible, I came across this verse: “Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wive as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it.” I began to ask myself, “what is love? There are many uses of this word in our society today. For example, “I love my car”, “I love my dog” or “I love to play the piano”. So does the verse indicate that I should have the same relationship with my car as I do with my wife? Obviously not. So, what is the true meaning of love as used in Ephesians 5:25?
Looking at some other verses in God’s word will lead to the answer. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” God gave his only Son, Jesus. Therein we see the true meaning of love; “giving of oneself.”
Going back to my original verse we could say that, “love your wives” would mean that the husband should give of himself for his wife.” That would include her needs should take precedence over the needs of the husband.
Another verse I considered was Mark 12:30. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment.” God is telling us in this verse that we are to give of ourselves for him. This is further illustrated the words of Jesus in John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.”
Therefore, if we wish to abide in the love of Jesus, we are to give ourselves to him.
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