Ephesians 5:22

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

Wives {G1135}, submit yourselves {G5293} unto your own {G2398} husbands {G435}, as {G5613} unto the Lord {G2962}.

Wives should submit to their husbands as they do to the Lord;

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22 is a foundational verse within the Apostle Paul's teachings on Christian household relationships, often sparking significant discussion regarding its meaning and application in modern marriage.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's larger discourse on Spirit-filled living, which begins in Ephesians 5:18. It immediately follows the call for believers to submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21). This preceding verse is crucial for understanding the spirit in which the subsequent instructions to wives, husbands, children, and slaves are given. Paul is adapting the common Greco-Roman 'household codes' (Haustafeln) of his time, but infusing them with distinctly Christian principles rooted in love, respect, and Christ's example.

Key Themes

  • Submission in Christ: The primary theme is the call for wives to submit to their husbands. Crucially, this submission is qualified by 'as unto the Lord.' This means the submission is not absolute or to an earthly tyrant, but rather a willing alignment within the framework of their devotion to Christ. It implies a recognition of order within the marriage, mirroring the church's relationship to Christ.
  • Order, Not Inferiority: It's vital to understand that biblical submission does not imply inferiority or a lack of worth. Rather, it speaks to an ordered structure within the marriage for the benefit of both partners and the family. Paul later balances this instruction with a profound call for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), even to the point of self-sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated 'submit' is hypotassō (ὑποτάσσω). It literally means 'to place under' or 'to arrange under.' While it can imply military subordination, in this context, especially following Ephesians 5:21, it speaks more to a voluntary yielding, cooperation, and respect for an appointed order. It is an act of humility and service, not forced subservience. The phrase 'as unto the Lord' defines the nature and limit of this submission; it is ultimately an act of worship and obedience to God, which means a wife's submission is always subject to her ultimate allegiance to Christ.

Practical Application

For Christian couples today, Ephesians 5:22 encourages wives to willingly support their husbands' leadership in the family, recognizing their role as God-given. This is not about one partner being superior, but about different, complementary roles working together in harmony. This submission is empowered by love and mutual respect, as the husband's leadership is simultaneously defined by sacrificial love and care, as outlined in Ephesians 5:25. The goal is unity, order, and a flourishing Christian home that reflects the relationship between Christ and His church. Other passages like Colossians 3:18 and 1 Peter 3:1-7 offer further insights into this dynamic.

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.

  • Colossians 3:18

    ¶ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

  • Colossians 4:1

    ¶ Masters, give unto [your] servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

  • 1 Peter 3:1

    ¶ Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

  • 1 Peter 3:6

    Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

  • Titus 2:5

    [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

  • Genesis 3:16

    ¶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

  • Ephesians 5:22

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

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