Our Need To Submit

Submission is a subject that is often shied away from as in “the world” it is frequently interpreted as meaning being the under-dog, capitulation, of giving in. or being subject to abuse if we do not agree.

Back in 1828 Websters Dictionary defined submission as “SUBMIS'SION, n. [L. submissio, from submitto.] The act of submitting; the act of yielding to power or authority; surrender of the person and power to the control or government of another.” The current definition from Oxford Languages is “the action of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person.”

As we drive on our roads we might see many examples of road users breaking the law - speeding probably being highest on the list. An example of road users refusing to let an authority tell them the maximum speed they can drive. That is they refused to submit to the law governing their driving and yes, the writer admits his past guilt. Looking at scripture [Romans 13:1-7 NLT] Saint Paul writes:

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority."

Many Christians may struggle with submitting to authority, such as teachers, bosses, and government officials, which regrettably reflects on our resistance to or defiance of the authority of God’s laws and His kingdom. However, through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, Christians possess a renewed mind and conscience which guides them to obey. And when they don’t obey, the Holy Spirit pricks the conscience and prompts them to repent. Repentance brings awareness of our need to submit. In James 4:7 we see “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [NLT]

Nowhere in scripture are we told that a woman must submit to anyone other than her own husband. This does not indicate that she is anything less than her husband, husband and wife are equals in Christ as Jesus submitted to the Father, but both were equal before God in every way.

Over time the worlds interpretation of submission has crept into the thinking of some Christians have come to believe submission as oppressive. Saint Paul’s passage in Ephesians, “Wives submit to your own husbands” (part of 5:22) is only part of the sentence and the verses around are ignored. The part that is quoted is branded by some as sexist, or regrettably as justification by husbands for mistreating/abusing their wives. Ephesians 5 gives us a template on how we should lead our lives so with that in mind we look to verses Ephesians 5:15-33 [NKJV]

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. 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.”

“Wives submit to your own husbands” is quoted completely out of context to promote nonbiblical worldly ideas. When taken in context and missing out any headings/sub-headings which are not of course in the original text the passage gives us the guidelines for a perfect relationship between husband and wife. How often do we talk about Ephesians 5.24 -29?

Husband and wives who submit their will fully to Christ, would imitate Him in the marriage relationship and much more. Biblical submission is the pathway to right relationship with God and with others including spouse and family.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Galatians 6:9-10 [ESV]