Submit to Authority: Read Ephesians 5:20-6:9; 1 Peter 2:13-3:7

We were in a bible study class. Someone used the word “submit.” Another class member said, “I have a problem with that word, submit. I just have a problem with the word submit.” What is wrong with the word submit? If the teacher in a classroom tells the students to submit their papers by a certain date the students might have a problem with the date, but they probably will not give the word submit a second thought. What are the differences? First, students know that the instructor has the authority to determine the class requirements. The word submit means simply turn in your papers and the students have known from the beginning of the class that they will be required to turn in a paper. On the other hand, the woman in the bible class was using the word in the same context that the class was using it; namely the obligation of one person to submit to the will and authority of another person. Again, I ask why this woman has a problem with the word submit. Maybe, just maybe, it is because in our churches and bible colleges and seminaries the word as used in the bible is misunderstood and misused. Maybe, it is because the word has been used to keep people in their places. Maybe, it is because the word has been used to control people, to boss them around, and use people for one’s own advantage. In this article I want to review how the word is used in two key biblical texts, what the writer meant when he used it and how it is often used today. I believe that these two passages and other passages recorded in the New Testament are really about respect for authority. Before we look at the texts specifically let us look at the word submit. What does the word mean? In the Paul’s letter and the Peter’s letter the word “submit” or “subject” is translated from the Greek word hupotasso. Hupotasso was a Greek military term to arrange troop divisions in a military fashion under the command of a leader. The purpose is that troops know their duty, to bring about a systematic and cohesive military operation so that the army can win the battle. In addition, this word is used to instruct those who know Christ to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects Christ’s obedience to the Father, ultimately by enduring suffering during His passion, and by His death on the cross (1 Pet. 2:19-24, and Phil. 2:5-11). The goal is to bring others to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Let us review the two passages of scripture listed above. First, Paul writes to the church at Ephesus that is divided by ethnic and cultural lines. It is the Jews versus the Gentiles. Paul wants to bring order and unity to this church. He wants them to see that they must be united together, and they must have order to win the battle that they face as believers in Christ. You might ask what battle are they to fight. I ask, do you think that it is just a coincident that immediately after Paul describes the order in the church that he tells them to put on the full armor of God and how to fight against the church’s enemies (Eph. 6:10-18)? Earlier, I mentioned that a woman stated that she has a problem with the word submit. Let us be honest. The church has used Ephesisans 5:22 as an order from God to tell a woman that she must do whatever her husband tells her to do. We have placed so much emphasis on this interpretation that we have allowed men to abuse women, even blaming the woman for the cruelty of the man. Is this really what Paul is saying? In Ephesians 5:21 Paul seeks to bring unity to the church He instructs the church by saying “be subject to one another in the fear of the Lord” (NASB). The NIV translates this verse saying “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Paul follows by giving examples of submission. “Wives be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord” (v. 22, NASB) Notice that Paul continues by adding that God has set up an order of authority. “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body” (v. 23). “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church because we are members of His body” (vv. 25-30, NASB). Did you get that” The wife submits to the husband so that he can use the authority that God gives to do the things that he needs to do to meet the needs of the wife. This is the point. The one who are in authority are not to abuse those that are under their authority. Instead that are to be servant leaders (John 13:12-17) Let us look at Peter’s letter. The purpose of the passage is not primarily instructions for marriage. Rather, Paul uses an established structure to teach those in the church about the respect and use of authority. “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (v. 32, NASB). In 1 Peter, Peter writes to “those who reside as aliens scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1:1). He instructs these Christians by saying: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men” (vv. 13-15). Paul supports this by writing to Timothy the following: “First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:1-2, NASB). He writes to Titus: “Remind them to be subject to rulers, authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentile, showing every consideration for all men. As we can see from these passages of scriptures the aim is for Christians to relate to one another in love considering the needs of others more than one’s own needs. Their respect for the civil authorities will be a testimony that they are the children of God. There is nothing said in these scripture that indicate that a person has the right to use his or her authority to boss another person around; and especially, there is no right to abuse anyone in anyway. In Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45; Luke 22:24-27; and John 13:2-7, Jesus teaches His disciples that they are to follow His example instead of the ways of the world. Those who are in positions of authority have the responsibility to look out for the welfare of those who are under their authority. They are to remember that Christ is the authority over the church and the life of each individual Christian. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve others and to die for sin so that those under His authority might be saved. The relationship between a husband and wife reflects the government in heaven. The Son is subject to the Father. Jesus said: ‘“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. “ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these’” (John 5: 19-20, NASB). The Father accomplishes great things through the Son who submits Himself to the will of the Father. Let us respect those who have authority, and let us who have authority use it to prepare those under our authority to do the work of God; that is to bring others to a knowledge of God’s love and forgiveness of sins so that all who believes will have eternal life. When we respect those in authority we respect the authority of Jesus. When we use authority to serve others we use our authority in a way that reflects how Jesus uses His authority.