Episode 358: The Challenge of Submission

Husbands are to treat their wives as Christ loves the church. This is agape love that is sacrificial (Ephesians 5:25). It is patient, kind, not jealous, and not selfish (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). They are also to live with their wives in an understanding way (1 Peter 3:7). Wives are to show respect to their husbands, love them, and biblically submit to them (Ephesians 5:33; Titus 2:4; Ephesians 5:22-24). The Greek word for submission means to be “ranked under.” It is an ordering similar to military ranking. It is an authority structure for the home that God has mandated since the beginning of creation. It never meant in ancient days, nor does it mean today, that the wife is inferior to her husband. In fact, she may be superior in many ways, such as intelligence and self-control.

Given the world in which we live and the times in which we live, the notion of submission is both challenging and controversial. It is further complicated by a millennia-long history of sexism, misogyny, and oppression. 

We explore ten principles about submission that one ought to understand. They include that submission is voluntary, it does not put a husband in place of Christ, it does not imply inferior personhood or spirituality, it reflects an inner quality of gentleness, and it does not mean that one ought to be accepting of abuse.

Other scriptures referenced include 1 Corinthians 15:28; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 2:16; Ephesians 4:4, 12, 16, 25, 28, 33; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:16; and James 1:19-20.