Bible Articles

J O H N   W.   M O O R E THE MEANING OF SUBMISSION (A Study of Ephesians 5:22) The word submissive translates the Greek word hupotasso, which is a cognate of the preposition hupo, meaning "under" and the stem tasso, meaning "to arrange." In the first century, this word was used as a military term as well as that which described the behavior of a servant to his master (Fritz Rienecker and Cleon Rogers, Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, p. 538. Others define hupotasso to mean subordinate (F. Wilbur Gingrich, Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, p. 208), which is proper as well. In any case, submission connotes a relationship of one who leads and another who follows. It "demands readiness to renounce one's own will for the sake of others . . . and to give precedence to others" (Gerhard Kittel, ed., Theological Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 8:45. It certainly involves deference (i.e., polite regard for someone else's wishes, ideas, etc.) as used in Word Biblical Commentary (J. Ramsey Michaels, Word Biblical Commentary: 1 & 2 Peter, p. 167. This submission emanates from the wife. It is not forced by her husband as a man might beat a beast into compliance, but rather it is an action displayed from a free will. Scripture does not exist that would imply that a husband is allowed to force, slap, beat, kick, or threaten his wife into submission. Just the opposite is true. (Matt. 5-7; Eph. 4:29-32; 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:7; et al) In fact, to abuse a wife is sin. A man who believes he can physically force his wife into submission is mistaken, as she will only acquiesce out of fear for her physical well-being. Submission as illustrated in 1 Peter 3:5-6, where it is said that "Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him Lord." Her respect for her husband was manifested by giving him a customary/cultural title. This pronouncement from Genesis 18:12 displayed her attitude and her willingness to be placed under the direction of her husband. Women today who also adorn themselves ". . . in subjection unto their own husbands" are spiritually Sarah's daughters (1 Pet. 3:5-6). Indeed, this comparison is a great and noble compliment, especially as contrasted with the worldly "icons" for women in the twentieth century. The women of the world are boisterous and ungodly, while Sarah was meek (i.e., strength grown tender) and chaste. Sarah was courageous and willing to submit while the ungodly women of today are weak and rebellious. A submissive wife does not usurp authority (1 Tim. 2:12) nor seek to be the boss, "wear the pants," nor seek to dominate. Conversely, she must support, follow, and respect her husband. Submission does not, however, mean that she is inferior or less important. It does not mean she should be uneducated or intellectually inept. It does not mean she never has an opinion, suggestion, or strong will. It does not preclude her expressing her thoughts, desires, ideas, and aspirations. It does not eliminate her industry, contributions, and "savvy" in helping the home, church, community, and nation (Prov. 31). Submission does not negate her influence (1 Tim. 2:15) nor shackle her abilities and talents. Within parameters (and men are restricted in some ways as well), she can teach, counsel, pray, guide, and rule (1 Tim. 5). Submission to her husband does not demand that she disobey the laws of God nor tolerate violence and lawlessness. Submission is not slavery. Finally, in verse 22 of our text we learn that the submitting is to be done "as unto the Lord." Lord here is not a reference to husbands, for it would have to read kurioi (plural), but rather to "the" (definite article) Lord (singular), that is Christ. Herein is given the motivation. Her subordination to her husband is to be seen as her subjection to Christ. For Christian wives, this is a way to serve Christ. They must not reject this authority. When the Israelites rejected the prophet Samuel's authority in favor of an earthly king, God told Samuel that "they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." (1 Sam. 8:7) Similarly, when wives are disobedient to their husbands, they are rejecting God because Christ's reign over wives demands that they be submissive to the God-ordained authority of the husband in the home.