The fall disrupted this good relationship and the man would ‘rule’ over the woman (Genesis 3:16 – this was not a command, but rather a consequence of sin). Lack of respect for each other crept into the relationship and is found in many marriages all over the world. But in the New Testament, wives are exhorted to respect their husbands and honor her husband as the leader of the family (Ephesians 5:22). This means that the wife gives her husband room to give spiritual and practical leadership to the family. She treats him respectfully and supports him where needed. In this way, husband and wife reflect the covenant relationship between Christ and the church. The husband refers to Christ and the wife to the church. Christ gave himself up for the church, likewise the husband should love their wives as their own bodies (Ephesians 5:25-28). And the wife should submit to her husband as the church to Christ. For both partners in a marriage, there is no room for self-centeredness.