https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+5%3A21-24&version=NIVUK

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 

Ephesians 5:21-24

A dreaded word, not only for wives but for all in the modern age. It is such an unagreeable word. But looking at all forty occurrences in the New Testament, from Jesus’ submission to his earthly parents in Luke to the saints’ rightly submission to God in James, ‘to submit’ is a state rather than an action. One occurrence in an auxiliary form gives a hint: to “clothe oneself” with humility (1 Pet 5:5). Clothing ourselves with Christ is not our doing. God clothes us with Christ. So what we believers, including believers who are wives, need to do is remain in that clothing. Be in its state. Acknowledge it and take advantage of it (enjoy it, in other words). So for these most dreaded verses for wives of the past, present, and future, fear not! Who you need to ‘fear’ is Christ (v. 21), which means you are amazed at him and astonished by him. Remain there, as God has put you there.

Lord, let me stay within your placement of me today with a glad heart, taking all advantage I possibly can to be amazed at you and stay in reverence for you.

• What does ‘submit to your own husbands’ mean to you after reading this reflection?

• If you have found ‘submission’ difficult so far, what would you say was the biggest obstacle?

• Read the passage, vs. 21–24, again and detect the words that might still make you uncomfortable. Can you think of the reason why those words bother you?