Wives Submit to Your Husbands

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Kris
Filed Under Home and Family | 1 Comment | Share

In Ephesians 5:22, the apostle Paul told wives that they are to submit to their husbands. This verse has probably upset more women than any other verse in the Bible! Many view Paul as being sexist or a chauvinist. Many women view this passage as outdated and not applicable any more. Some simply react like King Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:20-26) and cut this passage (at least effectively) from their Bibles. How dare Paul suggest that women are to be submissive to their husbands?

Those who take such great offense to this passage don’t really understand what Paul is teaching.  They think that submission must be a bad thing, and that it is demeaning to women.  However, in the very context, Paul shows that this submission is not a demeaning thing!  Just prior to verse 22, Paul gave instructions for all Christians to have an attitude of submissiveness (Ephesians 5:21).  Also, in this context, Paul shows that wives are to be submissive in the same way that the church is submissive to Christ.  It is amazing how many people will think of the woman’s role as being demeaning, but the role of the church before Christ is never considered!  It should be viewed as a great honor to be compared in relationship with the church!

In practice, what does it mean for a woman to be in submission to her husband?  It means that she is willing to let him be the head of the household, and that she is willing to abide by the decisions that he makes.  It means that she will be obedient to him in all things (Titus 2:5).  Some women develop the attitude that they will be submissive, and they will be obedient to their husbands because that is what they have to do.  They will do it, but they aren’t going to be happy about it.  They will do what he says, but she is going to complain about it.  Or she will speak evil of him to others, ridiculing his decisions and instructions.  They believe that they have been submissive, even though they act this way, because they have technically been obedient.  But, consider another verse, in which Paul gives further instruction concerning her role.  In Ephesians 5:33, Paul tells wives to respect their husbands.  This is a part of being submissive to them.  If a wife truly respects her husband, she will not say disparaging things about him.  She will not complain about the decisions that he makes, or about doing what he asks her to do.  Even if “his way” turns out to be wrong, she will not mistreat him, or speak in a poor manner concerning him.

Wives should look upon their role in the family as a position of joy.  God has set every role in the family to serve the purpose of making the family run smoothly and without turmoil.  He is not punishing a woman by telling her to be submissive, nor is He relegating her to second class citizenry.  In the role He has given, the wife has great opportunity to do good.  If one doubts this, she should read again Proverbs 31:10-31.  The list that is provided for her shows just how much benefit she is to her family, and to her community. She certainly can be of great benefit to her brethren as well (Titus 2:3-5).  Being submissive does not take anything away from her ability to be a strong, integral, and necessary part of the family, the community, and the church!

Women should never view the role they have been given as something negative.  They should see it as the important role that it is.  They should remember that they are compared to the Lord’s own church, and that they should accept their role just as the church should accept its role.  The acceptance of roles, by every member of the family, will lead to having a peaceful, and prosperous family.  We can all have what God desires for us–perfect homes.  We just all have to do our part!

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Comments

One Response to “Wives Submit to Your Husbands”

  1. Wayne on February 24th, 2010 10:43 am

    Great article and very well written. This is what we need today and not the rebellion we see from women in the world and sadly, even some women in the church. Women need to be obedient and respectful to their husband as the church is to Christ. Churches that are not obedient to Christ are a disgrace as well as women who are not obedient to their own husband.

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