TCH MINI-STUDY 47
RELATIONSHIPS PLEASING TO GOD
HUSBANDS:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved
the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present
it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So
ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh;
but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church (Ephesians 5:25-29).
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter
against them (Colossians 3:19).
WIVES:
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband
is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject
unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing (Ephesians 5:22-24).
Wives, submit yourselves unto your
own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord (Colossians 3:18).
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful
in all things (1 Timothy 3:11).
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they
also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning
let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden
man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even [specifically] the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight
of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in
subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well,
and are not afraid with any amazement (1 Peter 3:1-6).
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The
heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days
of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her
food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth
a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth
her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and
her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid
of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing
is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth
it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth
her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the
bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give
her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates (Proverbs 31:10-31).
The aged women likewise, that
they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach
the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient
to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed (Titus 2:3-5).
There is difference also between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth
for the things of the world, how she may please her husband (1 Corinthians 7:34).
For the woman which hath an husband is bound
by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if,
while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free
from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man (Romans 7:2-3).
AGED MEN:
That the aged
men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience (Titus 2:2).
AGED WOMEN:
The aged women likewise,
that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they mayteach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,
obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed (Titus 2:3-5).
THE MARRIED:
And unto the married I
command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be
reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a
wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that
believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving
depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest
thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? (1 Corinthians 7:10-16).
Forthe woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed
from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:
but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man (Romans
7:2-3).
SINGLE:
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue
it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth(Genesis 1:28).
And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him (Genesis
2:18).
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch [have sexual relationships] a woman.
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband (1 Corinthians 71-:2).
Now
concerning virgins [unmarried] I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord
to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou
bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned;
and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you (1 Corinthians 7:25-28).
For
this is the will of God, even [specifically] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should
know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).
For I would that all men were even as Imyself [unmarried]. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the
unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I [that is, unmarried]. But if they cannot contain [control their
passions], let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn [inflamed with lust and temptation] (1 Corinthians 7:7-9).
But
I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife (1 Corinthians 7:32-33).
CHILDREN:
Hear,
O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto
thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind
them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall
keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee (Proverbs 6:20-22).
Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother
die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother (Mark
12:19).
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment
with promise;) (Ephesians 6:1-2).
UNMARRIED WOMAN:
There is difference also between a wife [married] and a virgin [unmarried,
never married]. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that
is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband (1 Corinthians 7:34).
WIDOW OR DIVORCED:
Flee
fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What?
know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye
are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
I say
therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I [unmarried]. But if they cannot contain, let them
marry: for it is better to marry than to burn [inflamed with lust and temptation] (1 Corinthians 7:8-9).
Now concerning virgins [the
unmarried] I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife?
seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin
marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you (1 Corinthians 7:25-28).
There
is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in
body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband (1 Corinthians 7:34).
There
hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye
are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee
from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:13-14).
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith
to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:11-13).
Flee
also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy
2:22).
Honour widows that are widows indeed [without financial means]. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn
first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed,
and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she [a widow] that liveth in pleasure
is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially
for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a widow be taken into the number under
threescore [60] years old [mature to serve within the church], having been the wife of one man [and a faithful, devoted wife], Wellreported of for good works; if she have brought up children [taught her children with godliness], if she have lodged strangers [has
housed church leaders such as missionaries and evangelists, as well as traveling Christians], if she have washed the saints' feet [been
humble and full of service], if she have relieved the afflicted [relieved the burdens of others through by providing meals, money,
housing, or advice], if she have diligently followed every good work [helps others with compassion and kindness]. But the younger
widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off
their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and
busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger [widow] women marry, bear children, guide the
house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. If any man or woman
that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed (1
Timothy 5:3-16).
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
REMARRYING:
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have
begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they
learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which
they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary
to speak reproachfully (1 Timothy 5:11-14).
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even
as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn [Greek puroo, to be ignited, inflamed with
anger, grief, or lust] (1 Corinthians 7:8-9).
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch
as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the
man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head
because of the angels (1 Corinthians 11:7-10).
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so
let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called
in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments
of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou
mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that
is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein
he is called, therein abide with God (1 Corinthians 7:17-24).
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).
When the LORD thy
God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and
the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater
and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them;thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt
not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they
may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly (Deuteronomy 7:1-4).
Forthe woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed
from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:
but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man (Romans
7:2-3).
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But
I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with
her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her
also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his
head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the
woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power
on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.Judge in yourselves: is it comely that
a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? Butif a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious,
we have no such custom, neither the churches of God (1 Corinthians 11:2-16).
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, andflesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,
and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh [Hebrew, echad, one properly united, altogether] (Genesis 2:23-24).
Let
the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be
in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression (1
Timothy 2:11-14).