Illustrated
Sacred Unity: Love, Submission, and Holiness Explored in 'Illustrated'
Lyrics
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord
Wives are encouraged to willingly yield or defer to their husbands, equating it to submitting to the authority of the Lord.
Because the husband is the head of the wife
The rationale behind the submission is explained, stating that the husband holds a position of leadership or authority in the marital relationship.
Just as Christ is the head of the church
Drawing a parallel, the husband's role is likened to Christ's role as the head of the church.
(He himself being the saviour of the body)
An additional note emphasizing Christ's role as the one who saves and cares for the body of believers.
But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives
Continuing the analogy, wives are urged to submit to their husbands in the same way that the church submits to Christ.
Should submit to their husbands in everything
The scope of submission is broadened to encompass all aspects of life.
Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church
Husbands are instructed to love their wives in a sacrificial manner, mirroring Christ's love for the church.
And gave himself to sanctify her
Detailing the nature of Christ's love, which involves giving himself for the purpose of sanctifying or making holy.
By cleansing her with the washing of
Describing the cleansing process through a metaphorical washing, symbolized by the water of the word (possibly referring to scripture).
The water by the word
Further expounding on the purification concept associated with the transformative power of the word.
So that he may present the church
The goal of Christ's actions is revealed: to present the church as glorious.
To himself as glorious
Specific qualities expected in the presentation of the church: without stain, wrinkle, blemish, holy, and blameless.
Without stain or wrinkle, or blemish, but holy and blameless
Continued emphasis on the purity and blamelessness of the presented church.
In the same way husbands ought to love their wives
Reciprocal instruction for husbands to love their wives in a similar self-sacrificial manner.
As their own bodies, just as he loves himself
The analogy extends to treating one's wife as an extension of oneself, akin to caring for one's own body.
For no one has ever hated his own body
An argument highlighting the natural inclination of individuals to care for and nourish their own bodies.
But feeds it, takes care of it, as Christ does the church
Drawing a parallel between self-care and Christ's care for the church as members of his body.
For we are members of his body
Reiterating the concept of believers being integral parts or members of Christ's body.
For this reason a man will leave his
Introducing a biblical justification for leaving one's parental home to form a union with a spouse.
Father and mother and will be joined
Describing the union between husband and wife, emphasizing the oneness that results.
To his wife, and the two will become one flesh
A acknowledgment of the profound nature of the union, with a reference to the flesh becoming one.
This mystery is great—but I am speaking of Christ and the church
Labeling the marital union as a great mystery while indicating that it symbolizes the relationship between Christ and the church.
Nevertheless, each of you
Despite the profound nature, individual responsibility is maintained, emphasizing the importance of love.
Must also love his wife as he loves himself
Reiterating the command for husbands to love their wives, drawing a parallel with self-love.
And the wife must respect her husband
Highlighting the importance of the wife's role in the relationship, emphasizing the need for respect towards the husband.
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