Submission Doesn't Mean Inferior

I’m not sure there are a lot of verses that are more polarizing in this modern age than Ephesians 5:22. Do you know which one I’m referring to? “Wives, submit to your husbands, as you do to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is of the church.” Now wait, before you tune out in a huff, there’s so much more to this than we might realize.

This idea of submission to others is nothing new in the Bible as it stretches back to before the Fall in the Garden of Eden. Gotquestions.org says Adam was created first, and Eve was then created to be his help-mate.

In the centuries since the Garden of Eden, God has established many types of authority, including governments to enforce justice in society and provide protection, pastors to lead and feed God's people, husbands to love and care for their wives, and fathers to discipline and guide their children.

In each case, submission is required, such as the citizen to government, flock to shepherd, wives to husbands, husbands to God, and children to fathers. The Greek word hupotasso is the continuing form of the word, which means submission is a continual choice.

Although women are to submit to men, the Bible is quite clear on how those husbands are required to treat their wives. They are not to be dictatorial, confrontational, or condescending. Husbands have requirements too as listed in Ephesians 5:25-26. “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”

He served the church. You serve your wives. In fact, in the same way you care for your own body, you are to take that same level of care for your wife. Ephesians 5:28-29 says this:

“Husbands have the obligation of loving and caring for their wives the same way they love and care for their own bodies, for to love your wife is to love your own self. No one abuses his own body but pampers it—serving and satisfying its needs.”

So, take care of the woman who is your help-mate. I will guarantee she has the expertise and insight that you just don’t have. How foolish would you be not to listen to her insight into whatever you’re dealing with? My wife, Monique, has many skills that I don’t have. Why wouldn’t I want her opinion or insight on something I may not have the skills or knowledge to handle?

She’s made me a better husband, dad, and Christian. Your wife can do the same for you.

Wives are far from the only people on this Earth God requires to submit to others. Men and women are supposed to submit to God first, which is the only way we can truly obey Him (James 1:21). We are supposed to submit to each other (Ephesians 5:21). In the family unit, the husband is required to submit to Christ, and the wife is to submit to her husband.

I get it. I’m an imperfect, sinful human being like everyone else on the planet. For years, the idea of submitting to someone got my hackles up. But that’s pride talking. Submit is not a bad word.

Submission is not an indication of superiority or lesser worth. Not at all. After all, Jesus constantly submitted Himself to the Father’s authority (Luke 22:42) without losing His place or worth as God’s Son. Both men and women are equal heirs of the promises of God. They just have distinct roles.

So, submission doesn’t mean you’re inferior to that person. Wives are not inferior to men, and I’ll guarantee the Bible never teaches that. Back in ancient times, women were considered second-class citizens, and the Bible was revolutionary in the way it instructed men to treat women.

Matthew Henry says it this way: “The woman was made out of Adam’s side. She was not made out of his head to rule over him, nor made of his feet to be trampled by him, but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved.”

Be the kind of man that a woman would gladly let lead her family. I wish someone had told me that years ago. Living out the roles He intended for family life is the only way to honor Him and each other.

BTW: The Bible doesn't teach that women should submit to ALL men. This is strictly within the marital relationship. See what you think.