Excerpt 3: Submission vs. Obedience

Biblical submission is "not" synonymous with blind obedience! Nevertheless, even Christian women frequently define submission as slavery, meekness, or total passivity. This chapter will attempt to dispel such misconceptions about biblical submission and will reveal its spiritual significance within the husband and wife relationship. In order to understand the critical difference between submission and obedience, we need to discover the biblical definition of each word.

OBEDIENCE

God's Word uses two distinctive Greek words, one for obedience and the other for submission, when referring to the function of various subordinates within governing establishments. The Greek word "Hupakouo" is normally used in Scripture for obedience. Its technical meaning is "under the hearing of commands." A biblical command for obedience is often followed by a promise of blessing to the subject who complies, or with a warning of negative consequences to the subject who chooses noncompliance. Under the command for obedience, the subordinate is offered no alternative but to obey, nor is he allowed to debate the question of whether he should or should not obey. The appointed authority enforces compliance, executes judgment, and stands responsible for the results of his rule. The only responsibility of the subject under obedience is to do what he is told.

An example of the concept of obedience (as opposed to submission) is found in "Colossians 3:22-25." Christian slaves were instructed to remain obedient to their masters and to serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord Himself. The following verses give us two more examples of God's use of the word "obedience." In the first passage God commands children to obey their parents.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
Ephesians 6:1-3

Notice the blessing of long life that God offers to the child who obeys his parents.

The second passage concerns the importance of obedience to God.

"And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power."
I Thessalonians 1:7-9

Obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ refers to the personal acceptance of Christ as the only way to eternal salvation. This example warns that the consequences for disobedience (that is, non-acceptance of Christ as Savior) will be everlasting separation from the presence and power of the Lord.

SUBMISSION

The second Greek word used in the Bible when referring to the function of subordinates is "Hupotasso" which means submission. Technically, submission means "under placement or position, status or rank." This word is used by the writers of Scripture to refer to the positions and attitudes of subjects under the authority of their government (I Peter 2:13-15), to believers under the teaching authority of their pastors (Hebrews 13:17), and of wives under the leadership of their husbands (Ephesians 5:22). The biblical definition of submission includes the willing and positive response of a subordinate to his rightful authority. The submissive subject "consciously and freely yields" his or her own will to the will of the authority.

An example of biblical submission is Christ's submission to God the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to His death on the cross. Christ's example reveals that submission is not an act of blind obedience, but instead, it is a conscious act of a subordinate choosing to yield his will to the will of his authority.

"And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done."
Luke 22:41-42

SUBMISSION VERSUS OBEDIENCE

When God commands a subject to be obedient, the will of that subject is bypassed and his only choice is compliance. For example, a child is to unquestionably obey the authority of his parents, and the parents are instructed to enforce compliance, even against the child's will when necessary. However, when God commands a wife to submit to her husband's authority, He is requiring more of her than mere compliance. He is calling her to submit in a Christ-like manner.

In the same manner as Christ, a biblical wife is to submit willingly to her husband, which is the plan of God for her life. There are at least five aspects to Christ's example of submission in I Peter 2:21-23.

1. Christ did not sin. Submission is not just an overt act of compliance. If a wife is to submit to the authority of her husband in a Christ-like manner, she must maintain a Christ-like attitude. Biblical submission cannot be accomplished by a wife who has a sinfully bitter and angry attitude towards her role.

2. Christ was not guileful. In other words, He did not have sly motives nor any hidden agenda. Christ's submission to God the Father was not for the purpose of gaining something for Himself. A Christ-like wife will not use overt obedience as a way to manipulate her husband into doing whatever she wants.

3. Christ reviled not. When treated unfairly, Christ did not retaliate. Even while doing God's will, a submissive wife will occasionally be treated unjustly by her husband. A submissive wife will not try to "get back" at her husband for such poor treatment.

4. Christ did not threaten. Even if her husband does not handle his authority properly, a submissive wife will not threaten to withhold her favors.

5. Christ trusted God the Father. Christ was completely committed to His Father's plan and this is the reason that He was able to submit perfectly. A Christ-like wife will also submit to the authority of her husband, while she commits herself fully to "Him that judgeth righteously" (I Peter 2:23).

As you can see, the phrase "In the same manner" (I Peter 3:1) lifts the concept of a wife's submission to her husband above its earthly purpose of a peaceful family life. "In the same manner" highlights the importance of every believer's conscious choice to obey the will of God.

_{This excerpt was from The Other Side of the Garden.
It is available at your favorite Christian book store, or from the author.}