Friday 24 October 2014

Background

It is not what Paul says about what was already assumed 2,000years ago that must grab our attention here, but what, having saidthat, he went on to say. He repeats the known of his day aboutwomen and about slaves. And we say, 'He was a man of his day'. Buthe was more than that. It matters that for millennia human beingshave treated each other with inequality. It matters that Paulaccepted slavery and the subservience of women in the way he did.It is not a justification to say, 'he was a man of his day' forwith our God-given perspectives we have the privilege to look backand know that such damaging and dangerous imbalances of power aresymptoms of a profound sickness in human society.

But Paul has met Christ and something has changed for him toreveal a little more of God's divine will. So husbands must lovetheir wives and not just treat subservience with diminishingbehaviour. Masters must treat their slaves justly and fairly.Parents must not provoke their children. This is what startles usin the passage, for God's mending and healing of all that is fallenmust always startle us.

To Ponder

• What customs that you assume to be God-given are simply customsthat our children will look back on with curiosity?

• How have things changed for the better in your lifetime, asmore of the gospel (good news of Jesus) is revealed, and for whichwe may give thanks?