Meaning of Ephesians 5:22

This verse, Ephesians 5:22, instructs wives to submit to their husbands "as you do to the Lord." This is not a call for a subservient or demeaning subjugation, but rather a directive within the framework of a Christ-centered household. The Greek word for "submit" (hupotasso) is a military term, implying a willing and voluntary placing of oneself under the authority of another, not out of compulsion, but as a matter of order and mission. In the context of the early church, this instruction was revolutionary, as it elevated the wife's role within the household and positioned her submission as a reflection of the church's relationship with Christ. It underscores that this submission is patterned after the believer's submission to Christ, highlighting a spiritual dimension to the marital relationship that is rooted in love and mutual respect, even if the specific directive is given to the wife.

Context and Background

Ephesians 5:22 is part of a larger section in Ephesians (chapters 4-6) that addresses relationships within the Christian community and the home. Paul is outlining principles for Christian living, moving from the church's corporate life to its domestic life. Within the Greco-Roman culture of the first century, societal norms often placed women in a subordinate position. However, Paul's instruction here, while seemingly reinforcing existing hierarchies, is framed within a radical theological context that redefines the nature of authority and submission. He is not simply endorsing cultural norms but is reinterpreting them through the lens of Christ's love and sacrifice for the church. The preceding verses (5:21) speak of mutual submission in general, setting a tone of reciprocal respect before singling out specific roles.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are submission, order, and Christ-like love. The verse emphasizes a willing, voluntary submission from the wife to her husband, mirroring the church's submission to Christ. This submission is not absolute or blind obedience but is understood within the overarching covenant of marriage and the principles of Christian love. The passage aims to establish a divinely ordained order within the family, where each member plays a distinct but complementary role. The authority of the husband is meant to be exercised in love, mirroring Christ's sacrificial love for the church, and the wife's submission is to be a reflection of the church's devotion to Christ.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse calls for a profound reorientation of the marital relationship. For the wife, it is an act of spiritual obedience, akin to her submission to God. It is an opportunity to demonstrate trust, faith, and a commitment to the covenant of marriage. For the husband, the parallel command in Ephesians 5:25-33 is to love his wife sacrificially, as Christ loved the church. Therefore, the wife's submission is not an end in itself but is a response to and a facilitator of this Christ-like love within the marriage. The application involves a daily choice to honor one's spouse, to prioritize the unity and spiritual health of the household, and to reflect the divine model of Christ and the Church.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This instruction finds its roots in the creation narrative, where God established distinct roles for Adam and Eve, and its ultimate fulfillment in the eschatological vision of the "marriage supper of the Lamb," where the Church, the Bride, is united with Christ. The Old Testament covenants, particularly God's covenant with Israel, often used marital imagery to describe God's relationship with His people, with God as the husband and Israel as the wife. Ephesians 5 extends this imagery to the Christian household, portraying the marriage as a microcosm of the divine covenant relationship. The idea of order and headship is present throughout Scripture, from the patriarchal structures of early Israel to the leadership roles within the early church.

Analogies

One analogy for this submission is that of a soldier willingly following the commands of a trusted and competent general. The soldier's submission is not to the general's person as an end in itself, but to the general's authority and the mission they are undertaking. The general is responsible for the well-being and success of the troops. Another analogy is that of a well-trained ensemble in an orchestra. Each musician submits to the conductor's direction, not to diminish their own skill, but to create a harmonious and unified piece of music. The conductor's role is to guide and bring out the best in each part, just as a husband's leadership should foster the flourishing of his wife and family.

Relation to Other Verses

Ephesians 5:21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," serves as a foundational principle that precedes and informs verse 22. This establishes a mutual aspect to submission within the Christian community. Ephesians 5:25-33 provides the counterpart command to husbands: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." This clarifies that the husband's leadership is to be characterized by sacrificial love, mirroring Christ's actions. Colossians 3:18 offers a similar instruction: "Wives, submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord." 1 Peter 3:1-7 also addresses the roles of husbands and wives, emphasizing the wife's submission as a means to win over an unbelieving husband through her conduct, and the husband's considerate treatment of his wife. These verses collectively paint a picture of marital relationships built on Christ-like love, mutual respect, and divinely ordained order.