QUESTION: What does the Bible mean when it tells the wife to submit herself to her husband?
ANSWER: The word "submit" comes from the Greek word hupotasso. This Greek word has been translated in our King James version into several different English words as follows: submit, subject, obedience, hath put under. We can get a good idea of the meaning of submit from these different words. It is helpful to notice that this Greek word, hupotasso is used forty times in the New Testament. Four of those times it is used for the wives' relationship to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5 and 1 Peter 3:1). It is used twice for Christians to submit themselves to one another (Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5). Several times it is used of the Christian's relationship to authorities, twice of the Christian's relationship to God and once of Christ in relationship to the Father (Romans 13:1; James 4:7 and 1 Corinthians 15:28).
Hupotasso according to Vine's Expository Dictionary is primarily a military term and means "to rank under." The Christian is to place himself or herself willingly under the leadership of the Lord. In the same way, the wife is to willingly place herself under the leadership of her husband.
This does not mean that the wife is of lesser value than the husband or that the husband is to be the boss of the wife. Nor does it mean that the husband demands this of his wife. It simply means that the wife recognizes that her husband is the head and is to place herself under his leadership as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22).
What if he is disobedient to the Bible and she disagrees with his leadership? Directions for this situation are given in 1 Peter 3:1-6. It makes it much easier for the wife when her husband seeks her counsel (and a wise husband will do so). Even when he does not, the wife is not released from her responsibility, but should try to win him by her behavior.
The section on husband and wives in Ephesians begins with mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21). Perhaps the husband's submission would be shown by putting his wife's interests first. This involves loving his wife even as Christ loved the church. What a blessing in the marriage when it is so.
--John D. McNeil
Other Articles in This Issue:
Second Quarter 1993 Moments For You
Why Marriage?
Premarital Considerations
Your Own Kind
How to Have an Intimate Marriage
Stop Kidding Ourselves
Bible Couples Quiz
Bible Couples Quiz Answers
Marriage Takes Three
Dating and Marriage
