The POWER in Submission

Submission is a topic that has become very controversial in our present time because of the way it’s been used and applied. Before we even go further let’s know the meaning of Submission.

It is, “the action of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person.”

Submitting to the authority of another person, sometimes even God is a difficult thing to do in all honesty and the interesting thing about it is that we have a choice to or not. Now for this article, we will be seeing it from the biblical angle. While I am not a fan of shouting SUBMISSION! SUBMISSION!! SUBMISSION!!! at the slightest. I am 100% in support of submission.

When I wrote, “If only many knew the POWER in submission!!!” I intentionally didn’t specify whether it was the wife or the husband. But from comments I see many think it’s all about the wife when biblically, it in fact speaks to both parties – Husband and Wife.

Now, when Ephesians chapter 5 is being read on the matter of submission, we just go to verse 22 overlooking all other verses when in fact, all verses build up to the later verses. Today we would not overlook it because, it explains better the verses that follow. Feel free to read up from verse 1 and do well to read it up in other versions for thorough understanding.

Verse 21 speaks on submitting to one another to honor Christ. Then it goes on to breakdown the method of submission to wives first and then husbands.

For wives, this can be seen in verses 22 – 24 which means in summary, wives submit to the leadership of her husband and obey him. For husbands, this can be seen in verses 25 – 31. Husbands submission is in absolutely and completely loving his wife.

Now as the chapter ends, it tells us of how much the marriage union is similar to the relationship Christ shares with his church and then summaries it all and this time around, it addresses the husband first and then the wife. This is in line with the marriage organogram designed by God himself as in Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3.

The power that lies within submission can be good and bad but as believers in Christ, we are focusing on the good power.

A man who loves his wife as himself would have it easy as she would easily stay under his leadership, respecting and obeying him in all things. How about the woman? You get the continuous love (in totality) of your husband when you are willing to be under his leadership, respect him, obey him and in no way challenge his position.

Now you see how intertwined, this issue of wives submitting and husbands loving is. This being the reason why we should submit to each other as we would individually submit ourselves to honor the Lord. Wives, when you do not respect, obey and reverence your husband, you dishonor the Lord; so also Husbands, when you do not love your wife, keep her safe, treat her as you would yourself, you dishonor the Lord.

Eve is often quickly blamed for not being submissive and the reason for the fall of man. However, when God spoke about how sin entered the world, he never mentioned whether it was Eve or Adam. By virtue of marriage, they were one, hence the phrase, “by one man” sin entered the world… Yes Eve should have sought Adam’s opinion but have you ever come to think of it that Adam was there and he should have saved his wife. In Marriage, submission is expected of both husband (in love) and wife (to leadership) in order to honor God completely.

I am not going to go into the details of what love and submission brings our way as husbands and wives, as we all know and have experienced the benefits in one way or another. One thing I’ll mention though is that when Wives submit in obedience to their husbands and husbands submit in love to their wives. They exude great power within their marriage and outside.

As I end, I live you with 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 1- 9 but I’ll quote some verses.

For Wives:

In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives, when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together with your devotion and appreciation—love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God]. (1 Peter 3:1-2 AMP)

For Husbands:

In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective. (1 Peter 3:7 AMP)

For Both:

Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit; and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection]. (1 Peter 3:8-9 AMP)

“Great Power lies in submission within the marriage union which seeks to honor God.” ~ Phebe (Reju) Olaniran.

Blessings.