THE TEACHING OF PAUL ON THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF MARRIAGE AND HOME: THE RELEVANCE TO THE CHURCH
Marriage, which is essential to Gods plan of happiness was instituted among our first parents Adam and eve, even before the fall. In every dispensation, prophets bearing the holy priesthood have taught Gods internal plan and have been witnesses to the central nature of marriage and the family or the home in that plan. One of those prophets was Paul. During his ministry in the meridian of times, Paul encountered a church membership that was changing with the influx of Gentile converts. These converts many of whom were Greek, had been read in a morally corrupt society and were often undisciplined and self-conceited. At times, their background created disorder within their branches and prompted numerous questions as they struggled to understand what true discipleship entailed. Questions arose regarding marriage. Paul responded with sensitivity yet directness as he clarified the relevant doctrines. It is evident from the frequency of Paul’s council 0n marriage and family that he placed great importance on the subject of marriage and the home. Paul’s teachings on marriage and home centered on mutual love, honour and fidelity viewing marriage as a sacred covenant reflecting Christ and the church, he highlights marriage as honorable encouraging sexual intimacy within it to avoid temptation, while also valuing singleness for devoted service to God. The home is to be characterized by mutual submission and sacrifice. Paul exhorts the women in the Ephesians branch of the church to submit themselves to their own husbands (literarily becomes subject or obedient to), as they would to the lord, comparing the husband and the family to Christ and the church. And he also charges the husbands to love their wives (Ephesians 5; 25), as their savior loved the church, so that they might sanctify and perfect their families through love. Paraphrasing one of the great commandments, ‘so ought men to love their wives as their own body, he that loveth his wife loveth himself’ (Ephesians 5; 28). A husband is not to rule as a tyrant over his wife but is to preside in love. Methodology, primary and secondary sources are used for data collection while multidimensional approach is used for the interpretation of data. The purpose of the study is to investigate the relevance of this teaching to the society. One of the findings of the research is that marriage and the home is the bases upon which the larger society is built. It is recommended that marriages should be patterned according to Christ and the church relationship.
Keywords: Paul, Teaching, Biblical, marriage, Home