The word submission often makes us feel uncomfortable. We have been led to believe that submission to her husband makes us weaker or less worthy.of Merriam-Webster definition Obedience means “submission to the authority or will of another person. Surrender” or “submit or agree to submit to the opinion or authority of another person.” Christian submission has nothing to do with the weak sex. It has nothing to do with traditional gender roles. It has nothing to do with complementarism and egalitarianism. We can talk about those ideas for a long time, and I’m sure it will be a lively and passionate discussion. But this is about God’s word to wives to obey their husbands.
It is important to note that the sentence about submission begins with: Ephesians 5:21, tells everyone to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. It is not only the wife who should respect and listen to her husband’s opinions, thoughts and ideas, but all of us, as children of God, must submit to each other, recognizing that we are each made in God’s image. it won’t work.
cultural expectations
As with many parts of the Bible, it is important to know the cultural significance of the time. Most societies at the time when Paul wrote that a woman should obey her husband actually expected a wife to obey her husband’s authority. Submission is defined differently in different regions, but Paul suggests continuing the tradition of wife submission. In a chapter full of advice on how to live a godly life, Paul writes:
“Wives, submit to your husbands as you obey the Lord, for as Christ is the head and body of the church, and Christ the body is the Savior. , for the husband is the head of the wife. Now, as the church is subject to Christ, so the wife is to submit to her husband in everything.”Ephesians 5:22-24NIV).
Merriam-Webster said,send“Submitting oneself to the authority or will of another. Submitting or agreeing to obey the opinions or authority of another.” means to indicate It means listening to him without judgment and allowing him to make choices with our full support. That doesn’t mean he’s the only one who has the power to decide. Obedience is more about respect, support and encouragement than it is about being a doormat. When we submit to our husbands, we must not forget how important his role is. My husband has a lot of responsibility as the head of the household, and he’s been coached on how to treat us.
husband
After instructing wives to obey their husbands, Paul gives a longer message instructing husbands on how to treat their wives.he writes Ephesians 5:25-33“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for it, washing it with water through the Word and cleansing it. and to present her to herself as a shining church, holy and irreproachable, without stains, wrinkles, or other blemishes. Similarly, her husband should love his wife as his own body. A man who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one hated her own body, but she nourished and cared for it as Christ did for the church. Because we are part of God’s body. “For this reason a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and they become one flesh.” This is a deep mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the Church. But each of you must love your wife as you love yourself, and a wife must respect her husband. More succinctly, Paul writes to the Colossians:
“Husbands, love your wives and don’t be harsh with them.”Colossians 3:19NIV).
It is important to note that we as wives are not the only ones who are called upon to act. We must not let her husband use verses about submission to us. A man should love his wife. Submission to a husband does not pave the way for abuse. Submission is a mutually beneficial relationship that requires each person to treat the other with love and respect.
Christlike Obedience
We should be like Jesus, but Jesus submitted more than we were ever expected to do. Jesus submitted by sacrificing his heavenly abode and coming to earth to live as a limited human being. Because of his love for us, Jesus submitted to death on the cross. When we submit to each other, we become more like Jesus. Obedience also allows us to live a free life. James 4:7 says to us.
“Then submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Submitting to God not only enriches our lives with God’s blessings, It also builds a discipline that helps you resist demons when
Submissiveness to others may not be our natural tendency, but it is a skill that can be improved through prayer and practice. Jacob 3:17 “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, and peace-loving, obedient, merciful and fruitful, impartial and sincere.” This obedient wisdom comes only from God. how? “Ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV). God wants to give us good things! As we ask God, seek Him, and spend time with Him in prayer and His Word, God gives us wisdom, and this wisdom helps us in our relationships. Having trouble understanding what it’s really like to submit to your husband? Let God tell you! Not sure if you can step back and let your husband take the lead? Ask God for help! Do you not respect your husband enough to obey him? Ask God to change your attitudes, relationships, and perspectives. The Lord wants to help us. God wants us to be prosperous, healthy, and happy in marriage. Share your fears and concerns about submission with God and listen to where He is leading you. If your husband is not a believer and is not leading your family the way you want, keep praying for him, but remember that you are responsible to the Lord for how you treat him. 1 Peter 3:1-2 To tell
“Similarly let wives submit to their husbands, and if some of them do not believe the word of God, they will see the purity and respect of your life and will give words to their attitudes. You will be fascinated by it without hesitation.”
Our relationships become stronger and more sacred when we submit to each other with mutual respect. And while we are participating in the Kingdom, we may just acquire a Kingdom-seeking soul.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Layla Bird
Megan Moore Military spouse and mother of three children (through birth and adoption). Her trained speech pathologist now spends her time traveling across the country every few years. She has a passion for special needs, adoption, and ice cream.
