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Verse 19

Husbands have two responsibilities toward their wives. First, they must love them rather than treating them as subjects. Loving here involves doing what is best for the one loved, sacrificing self-interests for those of the one loved (cf. John 15:13), and behaving unselfishly (1 Corinthians 13). The Greek word translated "love" is agapao, the "all give" type of love, not phileo, the "give and take" type, nor erao, the "all take" type.

Second, husbands must not allow a bitter attitude to develop toward their wives because of the wife’s lack of submission or for any other reason. "Embittered" means irritated or cross. This attitude is a specific and all too common manifestation of lack of love.

"Both under Jewish and under Greek laws and custom, all the privileges belonged to the husband, and all the duties to the wife; but here in Christianity we have for the first time an ethic of mutual and reciprocal obligation." [Note: Barclay, p. 193.]

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