THE SECRET TO SUBMISSION

•    in search of ‘real men’ in the village

RELATIONSHIPS REGALLY OVERRULED

•    misuse of Biblical truth to subjugate women
•    context of Colossians: Jesus pre-eminent
•    interacting with outsiders: conversation always full of grace
•    even in chains, God can open a door for message’s proclamation

THE SUBTLE SEEDS OF ANTI-SLAVERY REVOLUTION

•    masters are themselves Mastered: must do what’s right/fair
•    slaves “working for the Lord” not men: beyond eye-service
•    will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward
•    sincerity of heart: integrity; obedience built-in regardless of monitoring
•    context: sending runaway slave Onesimus back to owner Philemon

PLEASING MORE THAN THE PARENTS

•    children’s obedience pleases the Lord; e.g. Fifth Commandment
•    parents not to be provoking – accountability hinders power trips

LOVING SACRIFICIAL LEADERSHIP

•    egalitarian note in NT: submit to one another out of reverence for Christ; neither male nor female
•    what’s ‘fitting in the Lord’? Husbands to love sacrificially, as Christ/church
•    husbands not to be harsh, exasperating, causing bitterness
•    submission for wives a voluntary yielding under another’s charge / command
•    not being a doormat, but affirming husband’s leadership, with one’s gifts
•    husband leads wife to prepare her as co-heir; no room for oppressive domination

FROM ADAM’S RIB

•    Matthew Henry: woman made from near man’s heart, to be loved