C) THE . 3:18-4:1 (The saint’ s relationship with Oneself. v.1-17) The saint’ s relationship with the Home. v.18-21 The saint’ s relationship with the Work. v.22-4:1 The saint’ s relationship with Others. v.4:2-17 This is one of several lists of house rules in the N. T. Eph. 5:22- 6:9; 1.Tim. 2:8-15; 6:1-2; Titus 2:1-10; 1.Pet. 2:18-3:7 V.18-4:1 has 6 classes of people joined into 3 pairs. The first addressed is the one in submission and the second one is in authority in all 3 pairs. In all 3 pairs the point is the realm of respect for another's position and place, not in the realm of inferiority. V.18 a) Wives - Follow the husband. I. Responsibility - Submission to husbands is important because of peace and order. II. Reason - As the Church, the bride of Christ submit to Christ, in the same way should wives submit to their husbands. V.19 b) Husbands - Favourable Feelings to the wife. I. Command - It is easier to submit than to love, submission can be done without affection but love cannot. The love mentioned here is not brotherly or sexual love but agape (Devoted love). II. Caution - Because man shall “ agape” his wife can he not be bitter (unloving) toward them. Irritation is a manifestation of lack of love. V.20 c) Children - Fitted obedience to parents. I. Duty - Children should obey their parents in everything that is right and true. II. Delight - Why because it pleases God. 1.John 3:22; Heb.13:21 V.21 d) Fathers - Fair treatment of children. I. Problem - Provoking carries the idea of a continual provoking until they are angry. II. Purpose - So they will not be discouraged instead of encouraged. III. Ways fathers can provoke their children to wrath - 1. Overprotection. (Not trusting them) 2. Over strictness. (Unreasonable demands or excessive discipline) 3. Criticism. (Continual faultfinding) 4. Showing favouritism. 5. Neglecting them. 6. Unrealistic goals. 7. Not showing affection to them. 8. Not keeping their promises. 9. Divorce V.22 e) Servants - Fear God in obeying masters. I. Follow masters - Servants should obey their masters in everything that is right and true, II. Fear God - Not in eye service but in sincerity of heart. Not as man-pleasers but fearing (pleasing) God. III. In spiritual matters the slave and his master were equal brothers in Christ but in earthly matters he was his master. V.23 a) Render - Heartily doings. V.18-22 should be done with affections and to the Lord. V.24 b) Reward - Heritage of the Lord. Everywhere we are, we are running the race for the prize (reward). Phil.3:14 there are different kinds of rewards: I. The wedding banquet. Matt. Ch.25; Rev.19:9 II. A more honourable resurrection. Phil.3:11; Heb.11:35 III. Reigning with Christ. Matt. 19:27-28; Luke 19:17-19; 22:28-30; Rom.8:17-21 IV. Treasure in heaven. Matt.6:19-21, 29; 19:21; Luke 12:32-33; 1.Tim. 6:17-19 V. Praise and honour from Jesus and the Father. Matt.6:1, 5, 16; 25:21; John 12:26; 1.Cor.4:5; 1.Pet.1:6-7; 2.Pet.1:10-11 VI. Crowns. Phil.4:1; 1.Cor. 9:24-27; 1.Thes.2:19; 2.Tim.4:6-8; James 1:12; 1.Pet.5:1-4; Rev.2:10; 4:9-10 V.25 c) Repay - Harvest of evil. Everyone will be judged for what wrong he is doing. (Are we running toward a reward or toward judgment) 4:1 d) Masters - Fairness and justice toward servants. I. Way - In light of the reward of v.24 the masters should be just. II. Warning - In light of the repayment of v.25 the masters should be fair.