Okay, let’s just skip past that Colossians 3:18 verse, because I know from just mentioning “submission”yesterday that I’m opening a big ole can of worms!

“Wives submit to your own husbands as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18).

I’m tempted to just move on, but I know my heart needs ALL the Word—not just the easy-to-do, feel-good parts.

If I truly trust God is for me, and powerful enough to help me, I have to believe He controls what is in the Bible and that what He says is for my good.

So, I want to understand what His Word means when it comes to things like submission. I want to understand well so I can apply the Word as He intends.

So, right off the bat, let me be very, very clear-we are not to submit to our husbands if what they are asking us to do involves sin.

Secondly, I’m not suggesting any woman stay in an unsafe situation or keep her kids in one where she or they are subjected to abuse.

With that said, what does submission look like in a marriage?

Typically, I go to my study NKJV Bible (Thomas Nelson), the Enduring Word App, and books like Systematic Theology (Grudem) to help me dive deep and study a topic. I read what others have written and I test it all against the Word.

I found these statements from the Enduring Word particularly helpful-

“Wives, submit: The ancient Greek word translated submit is essentially a word borrowed from the military. It literally means “to be under in rank.” It speaks of the way that an army is organized among levels of rank,”…”We know that as a person, a private can be smarter, more talented, and be a better person than a general. But he is still under rank to the general.”

“Wives, submit to your own husbands: This defines the SPHERE of a wife’s submission – to her own husband. The Bible never commands nor recommends a general submission of women unto men. It is commanded only in the spheres of the home and in the church. God does not command that men have exclusive authority in the areas of politics, business, education, and so on.”

“As is fitting in the Lord does not define the extent of a wife’s submission. It does not define the limit of a wife’s submission. It defines the MOTIVE of a wife’s submission. It means, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands because it is a part of your duty to the Lord, because it is an expression of your submission to the Lord.” They submit simply because it is fitting in the Lord to do it. It honors God’s Word and His order of authority. It is part of their Christian duty and discipleship.”

“When a wife doesn’t obey this word to submit to your own husband as is fitting in the Lord” (as explained above), “she doesn’t just fall short as a wife. She falls short as a follower of Jesus Christ.” (Ouch)

“This means that a woman should take great care in how she chooses her husband. Remember, single ladies: this is what God requires of you in marriage. This is His expectation of you. Instead of looking for an attractive man, instead of looking for a wealthy man, instead of looking for a romantic man, you better first look for a man you can respect.”

But what if you married an unbeliever? Is this your ticket out? Nope! (See 1 Cor 7:14 on this)

But as far as submission goes, as I said earlier, —“As is the case in every human relationship, the command to submit is not absolute. There are exceptions to this command for a wife to submit to her own husband. When the husband asks the wife to sin, she must not submit.” (Enduring Word)

But when it comes to God’s perfect plan for marriage it absolutely includes submission. We are without excuse. We need to obey in this area of our lives, just like all the others.

I’ve been married a long time. I’m a grandma now (that’s me and my man in the pic below) and is submission easy? Not at all! Just ask my husband and my kids (or, rather, please don’t! 😉) Thank the Lord for grace!

But, when I pray, when I pause and turn my eyes to God, He provides the strength and wisdom to do this.

And I know, as I submit, as explained in Scripture, I’m demonstrating that I trust the Lord more than I trust me. I’m getting out of His way so He can do the work in and through my family that He wants to do.

And God can do a lot with that!

And what about husbands? What are they called to do? We will talk more about that tomorrow…

readColossians

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