The husband/wife relationship is to mirror Christ and the Church

None of the above? I guess #1 is the closest. But I think the point is that whatever happens, whether you can understand it or agree with it, being in Christ means that God is working all things for good for us. There is absolutely no reason for us to not trust Christ our husband because He is always working for God's glory, which is also our highest good. A wife should know the same about her husband, that his love for her means that he is always working for God's glory, which is also her highest good.

Unfortunately we men often work for our own glory instead of God's. I imagine that if we were as trustworthy as Christ then submission wouldn't be nearly as hard as it is for many women. Of course, some women aren't going to submit to God or to any man, but in general I think we are the bigger problem, not our wives. If I worked for someone who treated me like I treat my wife I'd probably quit. I thank God that she hasn't quit on me.

 

Oops - I'm an idiot. Sorry.

 

" When people talk about the relationships mirroring each other, which of the above points are they trying to drive home? "

Uh how 'bout the devotion of Christ to His church, the faithfulness of Christ to His church, His willingness to sacrifice for His church!

 

Yes they are equally true. In a Godly, Biblical marriage, the wife will submit herself to a Godly husband who loves her more than life and always has her best interests in mind when making decisions.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Does anyone really have a marriage where the husband is like that, where he never asks his wife's opinion and rules as a dictator?

 

Just wondering. I always make the final decision in my family...right after my wife informs me what it is.