Ephesians 5:22

My Notes

What Does Ephesians 5:22 Mean?

Paul instructs wives to submit to their own husbands "as unto the Lord." The phrase "as unto the Lord" gives the submission its theological framework: it's not submission to male authority in general. It's submission modeled on the church's submission to Christ (verse 24). The analogy is marriage as a picture of Christ and the church.

The word "submit" (hypotassō) is a military term meaning to arrange under — to place yourself in an ordered relationship. It was used in the middle voice here, meaning the submission is voluntary, not coerced. The wife places herself in this posture. No one forces her.

The context is crucial: Paul has just said "submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God" (verse 21). The mutual submission of all believers precedes the specific instruction to wives. The household code operates inside the larger framework of mutual deference. And the very next verses (25-33) will command husbands to love their wives the way Christ loved the church — which means dying for them.

Reflection Questions

• 1.How does verse 21 (mutual submission) change how you read verse 22 (wives submit)?
• 2.What does 'as unto the Lord' mean for the quality and motivation of the submission Paul describes?
• 3.Does the husband's corresponding command (die for her like Christ) balance or change how you receive the wife's instruction?
• 4.How has this verse been used to bless or to harm — and what's the difference between faithful application and misuse?

Devotional

"Submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Six words that have been used to bless and to bludgeon.

This verse has been ripped from its context more often than almost any verse in the Bible. So let's put it back.

Verse 21 — one verse before — says: "submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Mutual submission is the umbrella. Everyone submits to everyone. The wife's submission to her husband is a specific expression of a universal principle, not an exception to it.

"As unto the Lord" — this is the framework. The submission isn't to male authority as an abstract principle. It's modeled on how the church relates to Christ. And how does the church relate to Christ? As a beloved bride to a groom who died for her. The relationship isn't about power. It's about love that's already been demonstrated through sacrifice.

The word is hypotassō in the middle voice — voluntary self-arrangement. Not obedience commanded from above. A decision made by the wife, from her own agency, to place herself in this relational order. No one forces this. It's chosen.

And the husband's corresponding instruction (verse 25)? Love your wife as Christ loved the church — give yourself up for her. Die for her. The husband's calling isn't authority. It's sacrifice. If the husband isn't willing to die for his wife, he has no business expecting her submission.

The order is mutual sacrifice. The wife gives deference. The husband gives his life. Both give. Both submit. In different ways. Toward the same picture: Christ and His church.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture