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Ephesians 5:22 – Sometimes It’s Difficult

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Will

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Truth to Learn

God has a perfect plan for the marriage relationship.

Behind the Words

The word translated “wives” is gunē, which means “a woman.” It also is used throughout the New Testament to indicate a woman who is engaged to, or married to, a man. This is the word used in referring to “the bride (woman) of the Lamb of God” (see Revelation 19:7; 21:9).

“Submit” is translated from hupotassō, which we encountered in yesterday’s verse, meaning “to under-rank oneself” or “to subordinate oneself.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating something done by the subject (wives) to the subject (wives). The word hupotassō does not appear in the earlier manuscripts, but it is clear for the context that this is what Paul intended.

The words “your own” are from idios, indicating something that is private and personal (as opposed to public or common).

“Husbands” is from the Greek word anēr, which specifically refers to “an adult male person;” that is “a man.” It is also used throughout the New Testament to mean “a husband.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one which causes a lot of women to bristle, particularly in this post-modern world of feminism. It has been misinterpreted and often misapplied, so let’s see what it says as well as what it doesn’t say.

Paul started out this chapter commanding us to be “imitators of God” and to “walk in love.” Then, throughout this chapter he has given us teaching on how to do that and how to behave within the body of Christ, teaching us what to do and what to avoid. In verse eighteen he said to avoid getting drunk, but to be filled with the Spirit. As we are Spirit-filled, we will exhibit three evidences of that filling: singing praise to God, being thankful, and submitting to one another within the church.

He now takes the remainder of this chapter to talk about the relationship between a husband and a wife. Since he has just been talking about submission, he starts off with this subject. He says that wives are to “under-rank themselves with respect to their husbands.” He is not saying that a husband is any better or more important than his wife. He is not saying that a woman is to be her husband’s submissive slave. He is simply stating that in God’s plan for mankind there is an order of authority. This is another area of life where our sin nature and the world system fight against what God says is right.

Paul’s teaching on submission within the family is not conditional, it is absolute. And, it is something that a wife does to herself; it is not something done to her. A husband is not to force his wife to be submissive to him. That’s abuse. Abuse within a marriage, whether physical or emotional, is contrary to God’s design. Anyone in such a relationship needs to seek out a counselor with appropriate social and spiritual training.

Also, note that Paul says wives are to submit to “their own husbands.” He is not saying that all women are to submit to all men. This voluntary act of submission is part of the private, personal relationship that a man and woman have.

Since this is such a potentially contentious teaching, Paul will spend several verses explaining it, along with a command regarding how husbands are to treat their wives.

Application

For some women, submitting to their husband is easy, for others it is very difficult. If you find it hard to do, prayerfully lay it before the Lord and He will guide you in love.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:21 – The Spirit of Submission

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Will

submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

Truth to Learn

The Spirit-filled Christian is humble and subservient.

Behind the Words

The word translated “submitting” is translated from the Greek verb hupotassō. This word is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tassō, which means “to arrange in an orderly manner.” It is a military term that means to voluntarily place oneself in a position beneath the authority of someone else, that is, “to under-rank oneself.” This is the same word we will encounter in the next verse as it is applied to the marriage relationship.

“One another” is the plural reciprocal pronoun allelōn, meaning “each other” or “one another.” It is never used as the subject of a sentence and only appears in the plural. As used in this verse, it means “for one another” or “to one another.”

Phobos is the word translated “fear.” This word is used to express many nuances of fear including: terror, general fear, reverence, respect, or honor. In the New Testament, when this word is used of God (or Christ) it nearly always refers to a reverential fear.

Some translations end this verse with, “… in the fear of God.” The word God is translated from theos. However, the better manuscripts use the word christos instead of theos. Thus, our translation is “… in the fear of Christ.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses, Paul has given us two evidences of being Spirit-filled: singing God’s praises and being thankful always for everything. In today’s verse he is identifying a third evidence of being filled with the Spirit of God, that of voluntarily submitting ourselves to others within the church.

Of the three evidences of Spirit-filled living that Paul gives us, this one is by far the most difficult. Both our sin nature and the world system that surrounds us would have us exalt ourselves. Therefore, our natural inclination and our conditioning cause us to want preeminence, not subservience. Fortunately we have a perfect example of what God expects.

On the day that our Lord Jesus was betrayed, before He introduced his disciples to the memorial we call communion, his followers had an argument among themselves regarding who would be greatest in the kingdom. They were focused on preeminence and power. They were focused on themselves. In response to this argument, Jesus removed his outer garment and, kneeling down before each one of His disciples, He washed their feet. This was not a demonstration of the superiority of the master, but the submissive act of a servant. Jesus, God in the flesh, gave this example of submission to them, and to us, to show the importance of submitting to one another.

In his letter to the Christians in the church at Rome, Paul said:

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; (Romans 12:10)

And, in his letter to the Philippians, Paul said:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)

Only a short time after washing His disciples’ feet, knowing the torture that was to come, Jesus also submitted to the Father saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Application

When we are filled with the Spirit of God, our actions will be controlled by Him. We will give praise and thanks to God, and we will willingly place the good of others above our own. Jesus gave us a beautiful example of submitting to one another by washing His disciples’ feet. He was willing to submit himself to ALL of his disciples. Are you willing to submit yourself to everyone in your church?

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 1:22 – Supreme Authority

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Will

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins and He is now your supreme authority with regard to all things physical and spiritual.

Behind the Words

The words “put … under” are translated from hupotassō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tassō, meaning “to place in an orderly arrangement.” Thus, hupotassō means “to intentionally place in a lower position.”

“Gave” is from the Greek verb didōmi, which means “to give” or “to grant.”

The word “head” is from the noun kephalē, which refers to “a head.” It can refer to the physical head of a body or, metaphorically, it can refer to “the supreme position of authority” as it does here.

“All” is the translation of the Greek word pas. It is expressed here in the neuter gender. Therefore, it refers to “all things.”

The Greek word ekklēsia is translated “church.” Ekklēsia is made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” So, ekklēsia refers to something that has been “called out.” Originally, this word referred to an assembly of citizens who were called out by civil authorities. It is used throughout the New Testament, however, to refer to the church, either a local assembly or the world-wide church. The church is a reference to all of us who have been called out of the world system into God’s family.

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about the awesome power that God displayed when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead. As He did this, He also seated Jesus at His right hand, the position of greatest honor. In this position He is far above all of creation, both physical and spirit. This is an indication of the supreme position of honor in which Jesus has been placed. Now, to emphasize the point a little bit more, Paul says that God the Father also put all of creation beneath His feet. This is a direct fulfillment of the words spoken in the Psalms:

You have made him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, (Psalms 8:6)

In other words, Jesus Christ is not only supreme in honor, but He is also supreme in authority. All of creation must submit to the authority of Jesus Christ or face the outpouring of His wrath. Those who submit to His authority during this life will not experience His wrath at the judgment. Notice that as Christians, we are commanded to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ and we are commanded to submit to each other as well, as Paul teaches later in this letter (see Ephesians 5:21).

As supreme authority over all of creation, Jesus has also been given a special position with regard to all Christians. He is our Lord individually, but He is also placed in the highest position regarding the church. He is the head of the church. That is, He is our supreme spiritual authority.

Application

As a Christian, you have humbled yourself before God and accepted the blood of Jesus as payment for your sins. At the same time, you placed yourself under His authority. Jesus Christ is not only your Savior, He is your Lord and Master.

In God's service, for His glory,

James 4:7 – Resistance Through Submission

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Will

Therefore be submitted to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Truth to Learn

Submitting to God is the only way to resist our enemy.

Behind the Words

The word translated “submit” is the Greek word, hupotassō which is made up of hupo (or hypo), which means “under,” as in hypodermic (under the skin), and tassō, which means “to place in an orderly manner.” Therefore, to submit means to place yourself under. This is a military term which means to place yourself in a lower rank than someone else, committed to obeying your superior’s orders. It is used here in the passive voice implying action done to the subject (you) and in the imperative mood, indicating that it is a command.

We saw the word “resist” in the previous verse. It is translated from the Greek word antitassō, meaning “to set-up battle lines against an enemy.” This word is also in the imperative mood indicating a command.

The word translated “flee”; is the Greek word pheugō, which means “to run away” or “to vanish.”

Meaning Explained

I hope we’re all prepared to hear James’ message about submission, because he’s going to say it more than once. He is saying that since God sets Himself against the proud and gives grace to the humble, we should allow ourselves to be placed under God (be submitted to Him) and stand firm against the devil. If we do these two things, we are told that the devil will run away. The scene I imagine is of a little child who has been harassed by the town bully. The child then runs to the biggest, strongest person around (who just happens to be his or her dad) and stands there in his shadow smiling confidently at the bully who runs away when he sees the child’s dad.

If we take this in context with the preceding verses, it is clear that James is telling us that when we are filled with envy and the lust to have more of what the world has to offer (the worldly lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of position and power), we need to be humbled before our God and resist these temptations. These desires for stuff, pleasure, and power are an integral part of the world system of which Satan is the prince.

Notice, however, that James does not simply say that we are to resist the Devil. Trying to resist the Devil without being submitted to God is like the child trying to resist the bully on his own. We all know what happens to the child when his or her father is not around. We are no different in our spiritual warfare against Satan and his world system. We cannot take him on by ourselves. It is only as we are submitted to God’s will and committed to doing things His way that we can have victory over our adversary.

Application

I have learned from experience that when I try to stand like a lone gladiator against the temptations that this world throws at me, I fail miserably. However, when I recognize my weakness from the start and fall on my knees before God, seeking His victory over the temptation, it often vanishes into thin air. Try it yourself, even today. When you find yourself tempted by this bullying world system, submit your will to your Heavenly Father and resist! For His glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:24 – A Submissive Witness

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Will

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Truth to Learn

Submission is part of what it means to be a Christian.

Behind the Words

The words “just as” are translated from the Greek word hōsper, which is made up of hōs, meaning “as” and per, meaning “much.” Thus, hōsper literally means “as much as,” that is, “in the same way as.”

“So” is from houtō, meaning “in this way” or “in this manner.” As in this verse, it is often coupled with hōsper to form a similitude between two ideas.

The verb “is subject to” is translated from hupotassō, which we saw a couple verses back means “to be under-ranked” or “to be in submission to.”

Meaning Explained

Throughout this chapter Paul has been talking about how we are to behave within the body of Christ. In verse twenty-two he changed his focus from our behavior within the church to our behavior within the family. First of all, he said that a wife is to submit to her husband; that is, she is to voluntarily place herself under the authority of her husband. In yesterday’s verse he told us that this is necessary because God designed the family structure with the man as the head, just as he designed the church with Christ as the head.

He now reiterates that point by saying that just as the church is ranked under Christ, so a wife is to be ranked under her husband. Nobody in the church would ever presume to place themself above Christ, so a woman should not presume to place herself above her husband in God’s plan. Now, let me say again that this does not mean that a woman is any less important within the family or within the church.

“But, what if my husband is not a Christian?” you might ask. The answer is that it doesn’t make any difference. In fact, a Christian woman has a greater responsibility if her husband is unsaved. Paul told the Corinthians that a submissive woman might even be the tool that God uses to bring her husband to faith:

For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? (1Corinthians 7:16a)

The Apostle Peter also wrote about how important it is for Christians to be submissive to authorities, even non-Christian civil authorities. He, too, commanded women to submit to their husbands, even those who aren’t Christian men:

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. (1Peter 3:1-2)

Application

God wants us all to be obedient servants and He will use those who are submitted to Him. Women, your position is extremely important within the family. It is especially so if others in your family are not saved. Your behavior may be what God uses to reach your family. If you have committed your life to Christ, then you have committed to being His obedient, faithful servant. Some day you may see how God has used you if you are faithful to Him. And God will get all the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:22 – Sometimes It’s Difficult

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Will

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Truth to Learn

God has a perfect plan for the marriage relationship.

Behind the Words

“Submit” is translated from hupotassō, which we encountered in yesterday’s verse, meaning “to under-rank oneself.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating something done by the subject (wives) to the subject (wives).

The words “your own” are from idios, indicating something that is private and personal (as opposed to public or common).

“Husbands” is from the Greek word anēr, which specifically refers to “an adult male person;” that is “a man.” It is also used throughout the New Testament to mean “a husband.”

Meaning Explained

Paul’s teaching on submission within the family is not conditional, it is absolute. And, it is something that a wife does to herself; it is not something done to her. Abuse within a marriage, whether physical or emotional, is contrary to God’s design. Anyone in such a relationship needs to seek out a counselor with appropriate social and spiritual training.

Since this is such a potentially contentious teaching, Paul will spend several verses explaining it, along with a command regarding how husbands are to treat their wives.

Application

For some women, submitting to their husband is easy, for others it is very difficult. If you find it hard to do, prayerfully lay it before the Lord and He will guide you in love.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:21 – The Spirit of Submission

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Will

submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Truth to Learn

The Spirit-filled Christian is humble and subservient.

Behind the Words

Phobos is the word translated “fear.” This word is used to express many nuances of fear including: terror, general fear, reverence, respect, or honor.

Meaning Explained

On the day that our Lord Jesus was betrayed, before He introduced his disciples to the memorial we call communion, his followers had an argument among themselves regarding who would be greatest in the kingdom. They were focused on preeminence and power. They were focused on themselves. In response to this argument, Jesus removed his outer garment and, kneeling down before each one of His disciples, He washed their feet. This was not the responsibility of the master, but the submissive act of a servant. Jesus, God in the flesh, gave this example of submission to them, and to us, to show the importance of submitting to one another.

In his letter to the Christians in the church at Rome, Paul said:

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; (Romans 12:10)

And, in his letter to the Philippians, Paul said:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)

Only a short time after washing His disciples’ feet, knowing the torture that was to come, Jesus also submitted to the Father saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Application

When we are filled with the Spirit of God, our actions will be controlled by Him. We will give praise and thanks to God, and we will willingly place the good of others above our own.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 1:22 – Supreme Authority

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Will

Ephesians 1:22 – Supreme Authority

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins and He is now your supreme authority with regard to all things physical and spiritual.

Behind the Words

“Gave” is from the Greek verb didōmi, which means “to give” or “to grant.”

The word “head” is from the noun kephalē, which refers to “a head.” It can refer to the physical head of a body or, metaphorically, it can refer to “the supreme position of authority.”

“All” is the translation of the Greek word pas. It is expressed here in the neuter gender. Therefore, it refers to “all things.”

The Greek word ekklēsia is translated “church.” Ekklēsia is made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” So, ekklēsia refers to something that has been “called out.” Originally, this word referred to an assembly of citizens who were called out by civil authorities. It is used throughout the New Testament to refer to a church, either a local assembly or the world-wide church.

Meaning Explained

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, (Psalms 8:6)

Application

As a Christian, you have humbled yourself before God and accepted the blood of Jesus as payment for your sins. At the same time, you placed yourself under His authority.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 13:5 – Submission by Conscience

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Will

Romans 13:5 – Submission by Conscience

Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.

Truth to Learn

We are to submit to authorities because it is the right thing to do.

Behind the Words

“You must” is a translation of the Greek word anangkē, which means, “it is necessary.” It expresses a stronger sense than simply, “it is appropriate” or “it is proper.”

The words “be subject” are translated from hupotassō, which we saw back in verse one means “to place oneself under the authority of another.” It is frequently translated as “submit.” It is expressed here as an infinitive. Thus, a literal translation of the opening part of this verse could be “Therefore it is necessary to be submissive.”

“Conscience” is translated from the noun suneidēsis, which is from the verb suneidō. This is made up of sun, meaning “together,” but often carrying the meaning of “completely” when used in a compound word, and eidō, meaning “to know” or “to perceive.” Hence, suneidō means “to be completely aware of” or “to be conscious of.” Thus we can see that suneidēsis refers to the state of being conscious or completely aware of something. It is that state which presents us with a moral decision of doing what we know to be right or not.

Meaning Explained

Paul now summarizes the two reasons why we should be submitted to the authorities over us. He says that it is necessary for us to submit to authorities and that it is necessary for two reasons. The first reason is “because of wrath.” That is, the authorities over us have the power and responsibility to punish disobedience. It is necessary for us to be subject to and obey the authorities over us because if we refuse to submit to them and obey them, they have the God-granted power to punish us. The second reason we are to be submissive to authorities is “for conscience’ sake.” Since we are completely aware of our responsibility to submit to authorities, we have a moral obligation to do so. In other words, in order to have a clear conscience before God, it is necessary that we submit ourselves to those in authority over us.

But what about Henry David Thoreau’s eloquent treatise On Civil Disobedience? Isn’t it sometimes appropriate, in fact isn’t it sometimes necessary, to be part of civil disobedience? For Christians, according to the Apostle Paul, unless the authority is commanding us to act contrary to the Word of God, the answer is No! We have an excellent example of this type of submission in the person of the prophet Daniel. He was taken captive to Babylon, forced to take on a new name and a new language. But he did not compromise when it came to obeying what God had commanded him to do, even though it nearly cost him his life. Not only did he survive, he prospered under the authority of Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian ruler, and he also prospered under the authority of the Medo-Persian king Darius who conquered Babylon. Daniel was submissive to the authorities over him because he was submitted to God.

Application

As Christians. our ultimate objective is to be submissive to God, and part of that is to be submissive to authorities because we know that it is the right thing to do.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 10:3 – Completely Submitted

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Will

Romans 10:3 – Completely Submitted

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

Truth to Learn

Righteousness only comes by voluntarily submitting your will to the will of Almighty God.

Behind the Words

The word translated “ignorant” is agnoeō, which is a compound word made up of a, indicating “not” and noeō, meaning “to perceive or understand.”

The word translated “establish” is histēmi, meaning “to stand.” By application, it also means “to make something to stand in place” or “to establish something.”

“Submitted” is a form of the word hupotassō, which is a compound word made up of hupo or hypo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tasso, which means “to place in an orderly manner.” It is a military term which means “to place oneself under the authority of someone else.” This word does not imply that someone is forcibly put under the authority of another, rather a voluntary placing of oneself under the command and authority of another.

Meaning Explained

Paul now explains what he meant in the previous verse when he said that his Jewish brothers had a zeal for God but not according to knowledge. He starts off this verse by stating that they were ignorant of God’s righteousness. The Israelites did not understand God’s righteousness or the fact that we cannot attain God’s righteousness because we are spiritually flawed by our sin nature.

He then goes on to say, not only did the Israelites not understand God’s righteousness, they also tried to establish their own form of righteousness based on what the Law told them to do. They firmly, even zealously, believed that by keeping the whole Law they could become as righteous as God Himself.

But, as Paul will tell us in the next few verses, there is only one person who can completely fulfill the Law and that is Jesus Christ. The reason that Christ was able to keep the whole Law is twofold. First of all, he doesn’t have a sin nature and secondly, because He is God, he cannot sin.

Finally, Paul tells us in this verse that the Israelites could not obtain the righteousness of God because they have not submitted themselves to God’s righteousness. These Israelites who had a great zeal for God were trying to obtain that righteousness by their own means instead of humbling themselves before God and allowing Him to grant His righteousness to them.

There are many professed Christians today who are still trying to earn righteousness when what they need to do is to submit themselves to God. Instead of working hard to obtain righteousness we need to submit to God’s will and receive His righteousness by grace.

Application

Are you still trying to obtain your own righteousness by obeying all the rules and ordinances of your church? Or are you humbled before the hand of Almighty God and completely submitted to His will?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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