The Wife's Submission as Gospel Reflection and Application
The concept of a wife's submission is rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in Ephesians 5:22-33 and Colossians 3:18-19. According to Ephesians 5:24, "as the Church is in subjection to Christ, even so let the wives be to their husbands in everything" [1]. This passage establishes a parallel between the relationship of Christ and the Church, and that of husbands and wives.
The idea of submission is part of a broader theme of mutual submission among Christians, as seen in Ephesians 5:21, where believers are exhorted to "submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God" [5]. In the context of marriage, this means that wives are to show respect and obedience to their husbands. The Baptist/Reformed tradition interprets this as involving "honour and reverence" towards their husbands, as well as obedience and care for the household according to the husband's will [6].
The theological underpinning of a wife's submission is linked to the concept of self-denial and resignation, virtues that are exemplified in Christ's life and teachings [2, 3]. Christ's submission to the Father's will is seen as a model for Christian behavior, including the relationship between spouses. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition emphasizes that the gospel does not abolish but rather reinforces the duties of common and civil life, including those related to marriage [8].
Different Christian traditions interpret the concept of a wife's submission in varying ways, but most agree that it involves a posture of respect and cooperation within the marital relationship. The Presbyterian tradition, for example, notes that a wife's subjection to her husband is "fit in the Lord," indicating that this relationship is grounded in Christian principles [8]. The Protestant academic perspective views the submission of wives to their husbands as part of the Christian commitment, reflecting the union between Christ and the Church [7].
The biblical basis for a wife's submission is not limited to Ephesians 5; other passages such as Colossians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 11:3-10, and 1 Peter 3:1-6 also address this theme. The underlying principle is that the relationship between husbands and wives should reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church, with husbands loving their wives as Christ loves the Church [4, 9].
The theological significance of a wife's submission is thus closely tied to the broader Christian understanding of marriage, love, and mutual respect. As the Church is subject to Christ, wives are called to submit to their husbands, fostering a relationship characterized by love, respect, and mutual support.
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:24 (Geneva1599) — Therfore as the Church is in subiection to Christ, euen so let the wiues be to their husbands in euery thing.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:22: (Eph 6:9.) The Church's relation to Christ in His everlasting purpose, is the foundation and archetype of the three greatest of earthly relations, that of husband and wife (Eph 5:22-33), parent and child (Eph 6:1-4), master and servant (Eph 6:4-9). The oldest manuscripts omit "submit yourselves"; supplying it from Eph 5:21, "Ye wives (submitting yourselves) unto your own husbands." "Your own" is an argument for submissiveness on the part of the wives; it is not a stranger, but your own husbands whom you are called on to submit unto (compare Gen 3:16”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 5:21: Here the apostle begins his exhortation to the discharge of relative duties. As a general foundation for these duties, he lays down that rule Eph 5:21. There is a mutual submission that Christians owe one to another, condescending to bear one another's burdens: not advancing themselves above others, nor domineering over one another and giving laws to one another. Paul was an example of this truly Christian temper, for he became all things to all men. We must be of a yielding and of a submissive spirit, and ready to all the duties of the respective places and st”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:20: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands,.... This is an instance, explaining the above general rule; which subjection lies in honour and reverence, Eph 5:33, and in obedience; they should think well of their husbands, speak becomingly to them, and respectfully of them; the wife should take care of the family, and family affairs, according to the husband's will; should imitate him in what is good, and bear with that which is not so agreeable; she should not curiously inquire into his business, but leave the management of it to him; she should help and assist”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:22: 5:22-33 Christian wives are to submit to their husbands, showing them respect. Equally important, Christian husbands are to love their wives (see Col 3:18-19). Christian marriages become a reflection of the union and relationship between the Lord and the church. 5:22 Submission is part of the life to which the wives’ Christian commitment calls them (see 1 Cor 11:3-10; 14:34-35; Col 3:18; 1 Tim 2:11-12; Titus 2:5; 1 Pet 3:1-6).”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:18: The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to relative duties, as before in the epistle to the Ephesians. The epistles which are most taken up in displaying the glory of divine grace, and magnifying the Lord Jesus, are the most particular and distinct in pressing the duties of the several relations. We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel religion. I. He begins with the duties of wives and husbands (Col 3:18): Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Submission is the duty of wives, hupotassesth”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:25: "Thou hast seen the measure of obedience; now hear also the measure of love. Do you wish your wife to obey you, as the Church is to obey Christ? Then have a solicitude for her as Christ had for the Church (Eph 5:23, "Himself the Saviour of the body"); and "if it be necessary to give thy life for her, or to be cut in ten thousand pieces, or to endure any other suffering whatever, do not refuse it; and if you suffer thus, not even so do you do what Christ has done; for you indeed do so being already united to her, but He did so for one that treated Hi”