The Royal Wedding of William and Kate has been hard to escape; it’s been all over the TV networks. One of the news commentators’ frequent reports has been on this “modern couple’s vows”—they have gleefully been reporting how Kate did not have the word “obey” in her vows. “She didn’t say ‘obey’! They’re so modern!”
William and Kate are not the first to exclude that word from the ceremony. Many couples in recent decades have removed that pledge from the recited vows, with the assertion that wives are no longer to be in subjection and obedient. While it is certainly wildly unpopular to talk about today, the Bible has not changed. God’s regulations for marriage are not culturally based; they go back to the very beginning (Matt. 19:4-6; 1 Tim. 2:13-14). Scripture teaches for the wife to be submissive and obedient to her husband (Tit. 2:5; Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:1). While you might not have the word in the ceremony, God expects it to be practiced in the home. I know I will be wildly unpopular for saying that, but it wasn’t me. It was Him!