Ephesians 5:22-33
"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."
Alot to break down in these eleven passages of scripture! Is it possible for a man and woman today to have a marriage like this? If the Spirit of God is within you it is! But if you try to do these commandments by your flesh, you will fail in one or all of the above!
Is there any woman who desires to submit herself to her husband as to the Lord? Who recognizes him as her head and then defers to him for final decisions? A woman who always respects and supports her husband?
Is there any man who truly loves his wife, just as Christ also loved the church? Does he give his time and make efforts to be with her? Does he listen to her and respect her opinion, and advice? Does he ask her for help in daily decisions and very important ones?
So let us break this down even further!
What “submit herself” means in biblical terms
Biblically, it does NOT mean: Being inferior or lesser in value, being controlled, silenced, or dominated blind obedience or loss of personal will. Enduring abuse, sin, or injustice.
So let us break this down even further!
What “submit herself” means in biblical terms
Biblically, it does NOT mean: Being inferior or lesser in value, being controlled, silenced, or dominated blind obedience or loss of personal will. Enduring abuse, sin, or injustice.
The actual biblical meaning
“Submit herself” means a voluntary, willing alignment under loving leadership.
Key points: Voluntary, not forced, the Greek word used (hypotassÅ) means to willingly place oneself in order. It is never about coercion. A wife chooses this posture; it is not demanded or enforced.
Rooted in mutual submission: Ephesians 5:21 sets the foundation: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” The wife’s submission exists within a marriage of mutual humility and respect, not hierarchy for control.
Modeled after Christ’s relationship to the Church: Just as the Church follows Christ because He is loving, sacrificial, and faithful, a wife responds to her husband’s Christlike leadership — not tyranny.
Paired with a heavier command to the husband: The husband is commanded to: “Love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Christ died for the Church. That means biblical leadership is self-sacrificial, not self-serving.
Respect, not silence: Submission does not remove a wife’s voice, wisdom, or free-will. Proverbs 31 describes a woman who: Speaks with wisdom, manages business and finances, influences her household and community, yet she does so while honoring her husband.
Never submission to sin: Biblical submission never requires agreeing with sin or enduring harm.
“Submit herself” means a voluntary, willing alignment under loving leadership.
Key points: Voluntary, not forced, the Greek word used (hypotassÅ) means to willingly place oneself in order. It is never about coercion. A wife chooses this posture; it is not demanded or enforced.
Rooted in mutual submission: Ephesians 5:21 sets the foundation: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” The wife’s submission exists within a marriage of mutual humility and respect, not hierarchy for control.
Modeled after Christ’s relationship to the Church: Just as the Church follows Christ because He is loving, sacrificial, and faithful, a wife responds to her husband’s Christlike leadership — not tyranny.
Paired with a heavier command to the husband: The husband is commanded to: “Love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Christ died for the Church. That means biblical leadership is self-sacrificial, not self-serving.
Respect, not silence: Submission does not remove a wife’s voice, wisdom, or free-will. Proverbs 31 describes a woman who: Speaks with wisdom, manages business and finances, influences her household and community, yet she does so while honoring her husband.
Never submission to sin: Biblical submission never requires agreeing with sin or enduring harm.
Scripture is clear: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
To “submit herself” biblically means:
A wife freely chooses to support and respect her husband’s God-given role, trusting his Christlike love, leadership and sacrifice, while remaining fully valued, heard, protected, and honored.
A wife freely chooses to support and respect her husband’s God-given role, trusting his Christlike love, leadership and sacrifice, while remaining fully valued, heard, protected, and honored.
In this world where the roles of men and women and have been flipped and redefined, with biblical marriage being undermined by Supreme Court rulings.
Let the people in God's Kingdom strive to live out the biblical commandments of Jesus and His 1st century apostles!
In Jesus Name,
Tyrone
In Jesus Name,
Tyrone
