Can you see where the church is being set up as a community filled with sweetness and light? Think about the type of people you like to be around -- I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you're more drawn to places where people are self-controlled and king, showing respect and demonstrating dignity and integrity at all times. Especially if those traits aren't largely present in society, you're going to be very attracted to such a community.
There are certainly echoes of a different culture here, where there were stratifications to society, but you can see how Paul is establishing a type of community where that can't take place. How could someone self-controlled and selfless ever participate in a society where they owned another person? If everyone in the community is wrapped up in selfless service, then the husband is submitting to the wife as the wife is submitting to the husband -- it's a cycle of selfless love, just as the Holy Trinity is caught up in serving one another. In this community, all are equal, and each is looking out for the good of another.
May we endeavor to emulate that in our congregations, that the sweetness of the Gospel may waft into the community and draw in those looking for true community comprised of people genuinely striving to serve one another.
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