Los Deberes del Esposo
"Esposos, amen a sus esposas" - Un sermón de Efesios 5:25-33
Predicado originalmente 27 de marzo de 1960
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Escritura
25Maridos, amad á vuestras mujeres, así como Cristo amó á la iglesia, y se entregó á sí mismo por ella,
26Para santificarla limpiándola en el lavacro del agua por la palabra,
27Para presentársela gloriosa para sí, una iglesia que no tuviese mancha ni arruga, ni cosa semejante; …
Descripción del Sermón
¿Cuál es el deber de un esposo cristiano? El deber del esposo en el matrimonio cristiano es edificar a su esposa en el amor de Cristo. En este sermón sobre el mandamiento "esposos, amad a vuestras mujeres" de Efesios 5:25-33, el Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confronta el hecho de que muchos cristianos nunca reflexionan sobre la naturaleza del matrimonio cristiano. En su lugar, simplemente adoptan lo que sea popular en la cultura del momento. El apóstol Pablo presenta una concepción del matrimonio que se entiende en la hermosa metáfora de Cristo y Su iglesia. De esto se desprende que los deberes del esposo en el matrimonio son de gran significado e importancia. Como cabeza de su esposa, el esposo debe imitar a Cristo en Su amor por la iglesia. Es un alto llamado, pues es un gran privilegio y responsabilidad para el esposo. El esposo debe vivir con su esposa como su otra mitad, no simplemente como otra relación en su vida. Esto es completamente único en la relación matrimonial y exige la más alta prioridad y cuidado. Es responsabilidad del esposo poner a su esposa por encima de todos los demás y guiarla en amor y con espíritu de mansedumbre. Él debe ayudarla a amar más a Dios y a Cristo Jesús mediante el cuidado amoroso y el liderazgo en el matrimonio.
Desglose del Sermón
- El secreto del éxito en el matrimonio y la vida cristiana es pensar y entender. Nada sucede automáticamente.
- Como cristianos, nuestra concepción del matrimonio debe ser positiva. Debemos esforzarnos siempre por el ideal de Cristo y la iglesia.
- La verdadera causa del fracaso en el matrimonio es el yo y el egoísmo. Someternos unos a otros en reverencia a Cristo es la solución.
- El esposo debe comprender que su esposa es parte de sí mismo. No puede pensar ni desear aislado de ella.
- El pensamiento del esposo debe incluir a su esposa. No puede pensar solo en sí mismo.
- El esposo no debe tener deseos solo para sí mismo. Su esposa está involucrada en todos sus deseos.
- El esposo nunca debe ser egoísta. Debe recordarse que su esposa es parte de él.
- La esposa del marido no es solo su compañera sino su otra mitad. Es su "mejor mitad".
- El esposo debe tratar a su esposa como a su propio cuerpo. La nutre y la cuida como lo hace con su propio cuerpo.
- El esposo no debe abusar, descuidar o dar por sentada a su esposa. La nutre y la cuida.
- Nutrir significa proporcionar alimento, dieta y sustento para el crecimiento y desarrollo. El esposo considera lo que fortalece y agrada a su esposa.
- Cuidar significa ejercitar, conversar y proteger. El esposo integra a su esposa en su vida y protege sus debilidades.
- Si vienen pruebas o enfermedades, el esposo cuida a su esposa como lo haría con su propio cuerpo. La edifica y ayuda en su recuperación.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Marriage
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the true biblical model for marriage?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the true biblical model for marriage is the relationship between Christ and the church. He emphasizes that Christian marriage is fundamentally different from non-Christian marriage because it is patterned after this divine relationship. The apostle Paul teaches that "we can only truly understand the relationship of husband and wife as we understand that great doctrine of Christ and the church." This lifts marriage to an "ideal position" that is "not possible anywhere else at all."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say that most marriage problems stem from selfishness?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies self and selfishness as "the greatest disrupting forces in the world." He explains that when two autonomous selves each want everything for themselves, a clash is inevitable. The biblical teaching is designed to show us how to avoid these calamities by emphasizing that in marriage, the two become one flesh. When a husband or wife thinks of themselves in isolation or detachment from their spouse, they break the fundamental conception of marriage, which is unity.
How should a Christian husband view his wife according to Ephesians 5?
According to Ephesians 5, a Christian husband should view his wife as part of himself—as his own body. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies" means not "as he loves his body" but "because they are their own bodies." He emphasizes that the wife is not merely a partner but is actually part of the husband, like Eve was taken from Adam's side. The husband should understand that "he cannot detach himself from his Wife. You can't detach yourself from your body, so you can't detach yourself from your wife."
What are the three general principles about marriage that Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies three general principles about marriage: 1. "The secret of success is to think and to understand" - marriage doesn't work automatically; Christians must apply their minds to understanding marriage. 2. "Our conception of marriage must be positive" - Christian marriage is not just regular marriage with Christians involved, but something essentially different that conforms to the heavenly pattern. 3. "The real cause of failure ultimately in marriage always is self" - selfishness in its various manifestations leads to clashes and problems in marriage.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain what it means to "nourish and cherish" one's wife?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses the analogy of how a man cares for his own body to explain how he should nourish and cherish his wife: 1. Diet/Food: Just as a man thinks about what nourishes his body, he should think about what strengthens his wife and gives her pleasure. 2. Exercise: Just as the body needs exercise, the marriage relationship needs activity like conversation—bringing her into his life and consulting her. 3. Protection: Just as a man protects his body against weakness and illness, he should protect his wife against her particular vulnerabilities or weaknesses. 4. Building resistance: Just as one builds bodily resistance to illness, a husband should build up his wife to face life's hazards.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about husbands neglecting their wives?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly condemns neglect of wives, saying it causes tremendous problems in marriages. He criticizes husbands who get married but continue to live as if they were bachelors, spending time with male friends or being constantly busy with activities (even Christian ones) while leaving their wives alone. He states that "it is a terrible thing that a man should get married and then proceed to neglect his wife." He specifically mentions "evangelical widows" whose husbands are constantly busy with Christian work but neglect their marital responsibilities.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones view social invitations that exclude spouses?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones believes that a Christian man should not accept social invitations that don't include his wife. He states: "I venture to lay down that a christian man should not accept an invitation on a social occasion without his wife." He views this as a denial of the principle that husband and wife are one. He even mentions that he "automatically refused" an invitation from an evangelical organization that was addressed only to him and not to his wife.
El Libro de Efesios
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
El Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) fue un ministro evangélico galés que predicó y enseñó en la tradición Reformada. Su ministerio principal fue en Westminster Chapel, en el centro de Londres, desde 1939-1968, donde impartió exposiciones de varios años sobre libros de la Biblia como Romanos, Efesios y el Evangelio de Juan. Además de la colección del Fideicomiso MLJ de 1,600 de estos sermones en formato de audio, la mayoría de estas grandes series de sermones están disponibles en forma de libro (incluyendo una colección de 14 volúmenes de los sermones de Romanos), así como otras series como "Depresión Espiritual", "Estudios sobre el Sermón del Monte" y "Grandes Doctrinas Bíblicas". Es considerado por muchos líderes evangélicos de hoy como una autoridad en la verdad bíblica y la suficiencia de las Escrituras.