Biblical Answer

The Call to Love and Sacrifice

The biblical call to husbands is to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). This is not just a sentimental or emotional expression, but a radical command to sacrificial love. Husbands are to love their wives in the same way that Christ loved the church, through total sacrifice. This means putting their wives' needs above their own, being willing to make sacrifices for their wives, and being committed to their wives' spiritual growth and well-being.

The Nature of Biblical Love

Biblical love is not just a feeling, but a decision of the mind and will. It is a choice to prioritize one's spouse's needs and well-being above one's own. As Markus Barth notes, even as wives must submit to husbands in the same way the church submits to Christ, husbands must love their wives in the same way Christ loves the church. This means that husbands must be willing to lead their wives in a way that is loving, kind, and considerate. They must be willing to make sacrifices for their wives, to put their wives' needs above their own, and to be committed to their wives' spiritual growth and well-being.

The Standard of Christ's Love

The standard for husbands' love is the way Christ loved the church. Christ's love for the church was total and sacrificial, and it is this kind of love that husbands are called to exhibit towards their wives. This means that husbands must be willing to make sacrifices for their wives, to put their wives' needs above their own, and to be committed to their wives' spiritual growth and well-being. As W. Ashmore notes, the call to love is not just a sentimental or emotional expression, but a decision of the mind and will. Husbands must be willing to prioritize their wives' needs and well-being above their own, and to lead their wives in a way that is loving, kind, and considerate.