18.
Wives (kai gunaikes). The article here distinguishes class from class and with the vocative case can be best rendered "Ye wives." So with each group. Be in subjection to your husbands (hupotassesthe tois andrasin). "Own" (idiois) is genuine in Eph. 5:22, but not here. The verb hupotassomai has a military air, common in the Koiné for such obedience. Obedience in government is essential as the same word shows in Rom. 13:1, 5. As is fitting in the Lord (hōs anēken en Kuriōi). This is an idiomatic use of the imperfect indicative with verbs of propriety in present time (Robertson, Grammar, p. 919). Wives have rights and privileges, but recognition of the husband’s leadership is essential to a well-ordered home, only the assumption is that the husband has a head and a wise one.19. Love your wives (agapāte tas gunaikas). Present active imperative, "keep on loving." That is precisely the point. Be not bitter (me pikrainesthe). Present middle imperative in prohibition: "Stop being bitter" or "do not have the habit of being bitter." This is the sin of husbands. Pikrainō is an old verb from pikros (bitter). In N.T. only here and Rev. 8:11; 10:9f. The bitter word rankles in the soul.
The Web of Practical Theology is committed to the inerrancy and infallibility of the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books of the Christian Scriptures. We believe "Theology is Practical."
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"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16 |
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"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 |
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"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 |
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"He [an overseer] must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." Titus 1:9 |
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"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." Titus 2:1 |
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