Sermons on Colossians 3:18-19

Colossians 3:18-19 Interpretation:

Building a God-Centered Marriage Through Communication and Commitment (Disciples Church) interprets Colossians 3:18-19 by emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding in marriage. The sermon suggests that the passage is not about enforcing submission but about creating a loving environment where both partners feel valued and heard. The speaker highlights that the husband's role is to love and serve his wife, making it easier for her to submit willingly. The sermon also stresses that submission should not be enforced by the husband but should be a personal choice by the wife, based on trust and love.

Understanding Mutual Submission in Christian Marriage (MLJTrust) interprets Colossians 3:18-19 by emphasizing the principle of mutual submission, which is rooted in the broader context of Ephesians 5:21. The sermon highlights that the original Greek text does not include the word "submit" in verse 22, suggesting that the submission is a continuation of the general principle of mutual submission outlined in verse 21. This interpretation underscores the idea that submission in marriage is not one-sided but a mutual act of respect and love, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Colossians 3:18-19 Theological Themes:

Building a God-Centered Marriage Through Communication and Commitment (Disciples Church) presents the theme that submission in marriage is a reflection of the Christian's submission to Christ. The sermon suggests that just as Christians submit to Christ out of love and trust, so should wives submit to their husbands. This submission is not about hierarchy but about mutual respect and love, mirroring the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Understanding Mutual Submission in Christian Marriage (MLJTrust) presents the theme that Christian marriage is a unique institution governed by biblical principles rather than societal norms. The sermon argues that the Christian view of marriage is distinct because it is based on the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing that marriage is an ordinance of God, not a human contrivance. This perspective challenges modern notions of equality and feminism by asserting that true understanding of marriage comes from biblical submission and love.

Colossians 3:18-19 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Divine Design: The Sacred Covenant of Marriage (Mountainside SDA Church) provides historical context by discussing the cultural norms of biblical times, where the husband's role as the head of the household was more pronounced. The sermon explains that this cultural backdrop influenced the writing of Colossians 3:18-19, where the husband's leadership was seen as a reflection of Christ's leadership over the Church.

Understanding Mutual Submission in Christian Marriage (MLJTrust) provides historical context by discussing the cultural norms of the time when the passage was written. The sermon explains that in the early church, new Christians often faced challenges in their relationships due to their newfound faith. For example, a wife who became a Christian might misunderstand her freedom in Christ as a reason to disrupt the marital relationship, which was traditionally patriarchal. The sermon highlights that the Apostle Paul addresses these issues by reinforcing the biblical order of submission and love within marriage.

Colossians 3:18-19 Cross-References in the Bible:

Building a God-Centered Marriage Through Communication and Commitment (Disciples Church) references Ephesians 5, which also discusses the roles of husbands and wives in marriage. The sermon uses this passage to reinforce the idea that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church, emphasizing sacrificial love and service.

Divine Design: The Sacred Covenant of Marriage (Mountainside SDA Church) references 1 Peter 3:1-6, which discusses the duty of wives to be in subjection to their husbands. The sermon uses this passage to highlight the importance of a wife's respectful and supportive role in marriage, suggesting that her behavior can influence her husband's spiritual journey.

Understanding Mutual Submission in Christian Marriage (MLJTrust) references Ephesians 5:21-33 to support the interpretation of Colossians 3:18-19. The sermon explains that Ephesians 5:21 introduces the principle of mutual submission among Christians, which is then applied specifically to the marriage relationship in the following verses. The cross-reference to Ephesians emphasizes that the submission of wives to husbands is part of a broader context of mutual submission, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Colossians 3:18-19 Christian References outside the Bible:

Divine Design: The Sacred Covenant of Marriage (Mountainside SDA Church) references Ellen White, a prominent figure in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to support the interpretation of Colossians 3:18-19. The sermon notes that Ellen White's writings align with the biblical instruction for wives to submit to their husbands, emphasizing the spiritual nature of this submission.

Understanding Mutual Submission in Christian Marriage (MLJTrust) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians when discussing Colossians 3:18-19.

Colossians 3:18-19 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Building a God-Centered Marriage Through Communication and Commitment (Disciples Church) uses the analogy of Hollywood's portrayal of relationships to critique the concept of "the one" and "you complete me." The sermon argues that these ideas are misleading and can harm relationships by setting unrealistic expectations. Instead, it emphasizes that love is an action and requires work and commitment, rather than being based on feelings or finding a perfect match.

Understanding Mutual Submission in Christian Marriage (MLJTrust) does not provide any illustrations from secular sources to illustrate Colossians 3:18-19.