Ep 71 - What Does the Bible Really Say About Marital Submission

Operation: Thriving Marriage

**Introduction**

Welcome to another episode of *Operation: Thriving Marriage*. Today, we're diving into one of the most challenging and divisive topics in Christian marriage—submission. Bryon and Jen explore why submission stirs such strong reactions and what it really means from a biblical perspective.

**Why Submission is a Major Issue**

Bryon asks Jen why she thinks submission is such a contentious topic in Christian marriages. Jen explains that there are two primary reasons for this:

1. **Historical Abuses Against Women**: The concept of submission is often rejected as outdated and harmful because of past abuses that have subjugated women.
2. **Misunderstanding of Biblical Submission**: Many people, including some pastors and church leaders, do not fully understand what biblical submission entails. This misunderstanding can lead to a variety of issues, including:
- **Unbiblical Restrictions on Women**: These restrictions can prevent women from fulfilling the roles and callings God has for them.
- **Misinterpretation of Scripture**: Misunderstandings can lead to incorrect interpretations and doctrines, which misrepresent Christ and hinder outreach efforts.

**The Problems with Misunderstanding Submission**

When people dismiss biblical submission as harmful, they often draw false conclusions about Jesus and Christianity, missing the beauty and truth of God's teachings. Misunderstanding biblical submission can result in:

1. **Unbiblical Restrictions**: Preventing women from achieving their full potential in Christ.
2. **Misinterpretations of Scripture**: Leading to flawed doctrines that can distort the gospel.
3. **False Representations of Christ**: Making it harder to attract others to God's kingdom.

**Understanding Biblical Submission (Ephesians 5)**

To clarify what biblical submission really means, Bryon and Jen turn to one of the most commonly discussed passages: Ephesians 5:15-28. They emphasize that:

1. **Continuity of Thought**: Many Bibles incorrectly separate verse 21 ("submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ") from verse 22 ("Wives, submit to your husbands"), but these verses are part of the same continuous thought. Verse 22 and beyond, often referred to as the household code, provide practical applications of the preceding teachings within the home.

2. **Submission vs. Subservience**: Submission is often overemphasized in verse 22, leading to misunderstandings. Paul’s teachings in this passage do not suggest that women are inferior or that submission equates to subservience. Instead, biblical submission is about mutual respect and love, modeled after the relationship between Christ and the Church.

3. **Submission Does Not Define Roles**: Submission does not dictate that women must be homemakers or refrain from working outside the home. It is also not something that can be forced; Christ doesn’t force the Church to submit, and the Church submits out of love, not fear.

4. **Headship as Responsibility, Not Privilege**: Headship is often misinterpreted as a position of privilege, but Paul presents it as a position of responsibility. Husbands are called to serve their families as Christ served the Church, even to the point of self-sacrifice.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, Bryon and Jen encourage listeners not to look for a prescribed way to live out submission and headship in their marriage because the Bible doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, they urge couples to seek understanding and guidance from Scripture and to work together to apply biblical teachings in their unique circumstances. When submission and headship are understood correctly, they become a way to glorify Christ rather than a burden to bear.

If you have questions or need further guidance on this topic, we encourage you to seek godly counsel from your local church community. Remember, living out biblical principles in your marriage isn’t about following cultural norms; it’s about following Christ.

Thank you for listening to *Operation: Thriving Marriage*. Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode, and leave us a review. See you next time!