Lorenzo Palon

"and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." - Ephesians 5:21 (NASB)

Paul’s statement in Ephesians 5:21 reflects the historical and cultural context of the early Christian community in Ephesus and nearby areas in Asia Minor. During that time, societal structures were typically hierarchical, with clear distinctions between different groups in terms of power and authority. In this context, Paul’s exhortation for mutual submission would have been quite revolutionary. Additionally, the fear of God in this verse highlights the religious and ethical framework within which the early Christians operated, emphasizing the reverence and respect for God as a guiding principle for their interactions with one another. This verse can be understood as part of Paul’s broader teachings on mutual love, respect, and care within the Christian community, which sought to challenge the prevailing cultural norms of the time.

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” – This is either a Present Middle or Passive Participle in Greek, meaning, it does not function as a command, but rather represents an ongoing action being performed by the subject of the sentence, or an action being done to the subject, respectively. The Greek verb “submit” originates from the combination of “υπο-” (hypo-), meaning “under,” and “τίθημι” (tithemi), meaning “to place” or “to put.” Together, they form “υποβάλλω” (ypoválo), conveying the idea of yielding or placing oneself under the authority of another, reflecting submission. This is a military term like the order of command in the army; private, sergeant, corporal, major, general, etc. It is putting yourself in a proper relationship to an order or command structure. The Apostle Paul admonishes believers to submit themselves to one another out of reverence to Christ. Submitting ourselves one to another is a characteristic of who we are in Christ, as a manner of life or the normal day-by-day Christian response in our inter-personal relationship. Interestingly, Paul uses this verb over 20 times in his epistles, and he relates it in every area of life. Not just to wives to husband; children to parents; slaves to masters. He relates it to Jesus to His earthly parents, and to Jesus as God the Son to God the Father. He relates this to every relationships, and our Christian lives are to be characterized by submitting ourselves to one another for Jesus’ sake. That means getting off with our individual rights and getting on with humility; putting others in the forefront in lieu of ourselves (cf. Eph. 4:2; Rom. 12:8; 10). This runs against the grain of sinful human nature, that is why submission is to be done in Christ; in fear of Christ; and in awe of Christ.

In conclusion, the concept of submission as conveyed by Paul may carry historical and cultural weight, but its relevance to modern Christian living remains pertinent. In the contemporary context, grappling with the apparent negative connotations associated with the idea of submission is crucial. Rather than viewing submission as a form of weakness or inferiority, Christians can approach it as a powerful demonstration of humility, love, and mutual respect. By cultivating a spirit of servanthood, and prioritizing the well-being and interests of others, Christians today define what it means to be a Christian in the real sense of the word. Embracing submission in the model of Christ’s selfless love can foster healthier, more harmonious relationships within the Christian community and society at large. Ultimately, the essence of submission lies not in relinquishing one’s autonomy, but in embracing a mindset of selflessness and demonstrating Christ-like love in all interactions.