A Word To the WivesA Word To the Wives

Ephesians 5:22-24,33Ephesians 5:22-24,33

Submission as a PrincipleSubmission as a Principle

• HupatassoHupatasso– Order or arrange under– Order or arrange under

• In principle we do not view the concept in In principle we do not view the concept in negative terms in common lifenegative terms in common life

• 1 Peter 2:13, Hebrews 13:171 Peter 2:13, Hebrews 13:17

Submission as a PrincipleSubmission as a Principle

• The principle of submission is at work in the The principle of submission is at work in the TrinityTrinity

• God is One who exists in a plurality of God is One who exists in a plurality of PersonsPersons

• Each Person (Father, Son, Spirit) is God—no Each Person (Father, Son, Spirit) is God—no division in God’s essencedivision in God’s essence

Submission as a PrincipleSubmission as a Principle

• Ontologically equal PersonsOntologically equal Persons

• Yet we see the principle of submissionYet we see the principle of submission

• John 5:19; John 6:38; Matthew 26:39John 5:19; John 6:38; Matthew 26:39

• Economic arrangement of the Trinity to Economic arrangement of the Trinity to accomplish God’s highest purposes for His accomplish God’s highest purposes for His creationcreation

Submission—What It Isn’tSubmission—What It Isn’t

• Our culture now sees this word through the Our culture now sees this word through the lenses of oppressionlenses of oppression

• The feminist movement has denied The feminist movement has denied differences we all know exist simply through differences we all know exist simply through common sensecommon sense

• The feminist movement has hurt women and The feminist movement has hurt women and lessened men’s lessened men’s respect of women respect of women

Submission—What It Isn’tSubmission—What It Isn’t

• Does not mean obey everything—the word is Does not mean obey everything—the word is submit. While the husband is to lead and submit. While the husband is to lead and love like Jesus, he is not Jesuslove like Jesus, he is not Jesus

• If he seeks to lead in sin, he is not to be If he seeks to lead in sin, he is not to be followed; if he seeks to hinder obedience to followed; if he seeks to hinder obedience to Jesus, that is not to be obeyedJesus, that is not to be obeyed

Submission—What It Isn’tSubmission—What It Isn’t

• Does not mean she has no voice in decisionsDoes not mean she has no voice in decisions

• Does not mean she has to agree with Does not mean she has to agree with everything or be silent about that with which everything or be silent about that with which she may disagreeshe may disagree

Submission—Rooted in RespectSubmission—Rooted in Respect

• Out of obedience and respect of the Lord, the Out of obedience and respect of the Lord, the wife is called to submit to the leadership role wife is called to submit to the leadership role of the husbandof the husband

• Her call is to respect him—which is extremely Her call is to respect him—which is extremely important for men and for the proper important for men and for the proper functioning of a family (you are the first one functioning of a family (you are the first one in teaching children respect for authority by in teaching children respect for authority by demonstrating it in the home)demonstrating it in the home)

Submission—Rooted in RespectSubmission—Rooted in Respect

• Submission is not derogatory nor is it that Submission is not derogatory nor is it that complicatedcomplicated

• It means giving the husband room to lead It means giving the husband room to lead and supporting him in that role given to him and supporting him in that role given to him by Godby God