Submission is a theme that comes up frequently in the Bible. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about submission:
Wives submitting to husbands
Multiple passages instruct wives to submit to their husbands, treating them with respect and following their leadership. These include:
- Ephesians 5:22-24 – “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.”
- Colossians 3:18 – “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
- 1 Peter 3:1 – “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives.”
- Titus 2:4-5 – “…train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
These verses root the concept of wifely submission in the created order and connection to the church’s submission to Christ. They instruct women to exhibit gentle, pure, selfless conduct in relating to their husbands.
Husbands loving wives
While the Bible calls for wives to submit, it also charges husbands to lead through loving, sacrificial care, not domination. Verses include:
- Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
- Colossians 3:19 – “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
- 1 Peter 3:7 – “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
These instruct husbands to tenderly nurture their wives, following Christ’s model of servant leadership.
Mutual submission
While assigning unique roles, the Bible also calls for mutual submission and humility among all believers. Relevant verses include:
- Ephesians 5:21 – “…submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
- Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
- 1 Peter 5:5 – “…Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
These verses teach that submission is ultimately an attitude of humility and service, not just a directive for certain roles.
Submitting to governing authorities
The Bible calls believers to submit to worldly authorities, even unjust ones, as part of their witness. Verses include:
- Romans 13:1 – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
- Titus 3:1 – “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…”
- 1 Peter 2:13 – “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.”
These instruct believers to live as law-abiding examples, even under imperfect leadership.
Submitting to church leaders
Christians are also called to submit to spiritual authorities God has placed over them in the church:
- Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
- 1 Peter 5:5 – “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.”
This demonstrates humility, trust, and respect for those guiding the church.
Submitting to masters/employers
Servants and employees are also instructed to submit to their masters and bosses:
- Colossians 3:22 – “Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.”
- 1 Peter 2:18 – “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.”
- Titus 2:9 – “Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative.”
This calls for conscientious work and respectful conduct, seeing service to earthly authorities as service to God.
Submitting ourselves to God
Ultimately, the posture of submission is about yielding to God’s authority over every aspect of life. Relevant verses include:
- James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- Hebrews 12:9 – “Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Surrendering our wills to the loving plan of God is the root of walking in wisdom and blessing.
In summary, the Bible contains many passages about submission in different realms of life. While often counter-cultural, the posture of submission displayed through humility, respect, and trust provides a powerful Christian witness and path to flourishing. When lived out in the context of mutual love and service, it reflects the beauty of the divine order.