Ephesians 5:21

¶ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Submitting yourselves {G5293} one to another {G240} in {G1722} the fear {G5401} of God {G2316}.

Submit to one another in fear of the Messiah.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

Ephesians 5:21 serves as a foundational principle for Christian relationships, calling believers to mutual respect and deference. It's a concise yet profound summary of how a Spirit-filled life impacts interactions within the body of Christ, setting the stage for specific instructions on various relationships.

Context

This verse acts as a crucial transition point in Paul's letter. It immediately follows his instructions on being "filled with the Spirit" (see Ephesians 5:18), which he links to singing, giving thanks, and finally, submission. It then introduces the specific "household codes" that begin in Ephesians 5:22, where Paul addresses relationships between husbands and wives, children and parents, and servants and masters. Therefore, the mutual submission commanded here is the underlying attitude that should characterize all these specific relationships, rooted in reverence for God.

Key Themes

  • Mutual Submission: The phrase "one to another" is critical, emphasizing that submission is not a one-way street but a reciprocal attitude of humility and deference among believers. It's about voluntarily putting others' interests ahead of one's own, fostering unity and harmony within the Christian community.
  • Reverence for God: The motivation for this submission is "in the fear of God." This isn't a cowering dread but a profound awe, respect, and reverence for God's holiness, authority, and love. This reverence compels believers to honor one another as those created in God's image and redeemed by Christ.
  • Spirit-Filled Living: This verse directly flows from the command to be "filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). True submission, humility, and love for one another are fruits of the Spirit working within a believer, contrasting with self-centeredness and pride.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "submitting yourselves" is hypotassō (ὑποτάσσω). While it literally means "to place under" or "to arrange under" (often used in military contexts for subordinates), its use here in a reciprocal context ("one to another") signifies a voluntary act of humility and deference rather than forced subjugation. It implies a willing alignment with God's order and a humble attitude towards fellow believers, reflecting the spirit of Christ's own servanthood and humility.

Related Scriptures

  • For the concept of humility and esteeming others, see Philippians 2:3, which states, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
  • The idea of the "fear of the Lord" as a foundation for wisdom and right living is a consistent biblical theme, as seen in Proverbs 9:10: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
  • The broader context of Spirit-filled living leading to transformed relationships and character is elaborated in the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

Practical Application

For modern believers, Ephesians 5:21 calls for a radical reorientation of personal relationships. It encourages a spirit of humility, where individuals are quick to listen, slow to assert their own will, and eager to serve others within the Christian community. This principle applies in homes, churches, workplaces, and all interactions. It's about valuing others above oneself, mirroring Christ's own example of servant leadership. When Christians mutually submit out of reverence for God, it fosters unity, peace, and reflects the divine order and love within the Church, making their fellowship a powerful testimony to the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Philippians 2:3

    [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

  • Ephesians 5:24

    Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.

  • Ephesians 5:22

    Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

  • 1 Peter 5:5

    ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

  • Hebrews 13:17

    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.

  • 1 Peter 2:17

    Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

  • Galatians 5:13

    ¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

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