Paul now gives instructions on how to put on love with our relationships.
Wives should submit to their husbands. This is not a cultural situation but one built into the order of creation for man was created first (1 Tim 2:13) and models the relationship of Christ to the Father (1 Cor 11:3). Submission is not about inferiority but about recognising that the husband is the head of the home. A wife’s submission is morally limited to what is fitting in the Lord. A wife is not obligated to obey her husband when he deviates from the commands of Scripture.
Husbands should love their wives (as Christ loves the church, Eph 5:28-29). A husband is to lead in love, not as a dictator. Husbands should not be harsh with their wives but treat them tenderly, remembering that they are equal with you before the Lord and treating them improperly will hinder your relationship with the Lord (1 Pet 3:7).
Children should obey their parents in all things because this pleases God. Obedience again reflects God’s order for the home. Fathers, as heads of the home, should not be harsh with their children. While God the Father is perfect, human fathers are not. Be careful not to put unreasonable demands on your children or be too strict in your discipline or they may be discouraged from obeying the Lord. But lovingly raise them in the instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4).
Slaves should obey their earthly masters in everything. Paul’s mission wasn’t to bring about social change but he doesn’t here condone slavery either. Instead, his focus is on the attitude of the believing slave within their found situation. Their motivation shouldn’t just be to do what is required when their masters are watching but sincerely out of a love for God. This instruction for slaves is equally applicable for employees in the workplace. Don’t just do the minimum required but do your best in everything. Whatever you do (and this applies to all relationships, not just slave/master or employee/employer) work as if working directly for the Lord, not for men. Ultimately it is God who rewards us for what we do. Whatever relationship we are in, we are to serve the Lord. We will be rewarded for the good we do but we will also be repaid for the wrong we do because there is no partiality with God.
Masters are reminded to treat their servants justly and fairly remembering that they too are a servant of their Master in heaven. This also applies to how an employer should treat their employees.

Every one of these commands is one-sided. Paul doesn’t say husband, love your wife if she submits. Or child, obey your parents if your father is not harsh. In every relationship we are to do right because of our standing in Christ. You must make the choice to serve God in your relationships regardless of what the other person chooses to do. What will you do today to serve the Lord in your relationships?