This week we launch a mini-series within our study of Ephesians—diving into the most intimate and controversial parts of ancient and modern life: marriage, family, and power.
In Ephesians 5:21–33, Paul speaks into the Roman household codes, structures that upheld the entire empire. But instead of reinforcing hierarchy, Paul subverts it—calling Spirit-filled people to a new way of being in relationship: trust.
When Paul tells wives to submit, he’s saying: trust. And when he tells husbands to love, he’s saying: sacrifice your power to make another’s life better. Mutual dignity. Mutual trust. Mutual transformation.
We’ll wrestle honestly with the cultural baggage around words like submission, and the way these texts have been misused. We’ll also ask what it means to live as Spirit-filled people in a world that still hungers for control.
Expect Tom Holland, ancient Roman law, villains and minions, and a radical reimagining of power that makes the gospel visible in marriage.
Big idea: Spirit-led people trust each other.