#105 – Submission is the Rule

SUBMISSION IS THE RULE

Col. 3:18 22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God."

There are five areas in which submission is to take place. No one is submitted Spiritually to the Lord without the proof of it in practical life. First Paul says . . .

WIVES SUBMIT TO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS

The word "wives" translates "gune" and means, "a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow." It can refer to a woman who is betrothed. Here it is certainly referring to a married woman because she is told who to submit to. The word "own" translates "idios" (Looks a lot like our word idiot!) pertaining to one's self, one's own, belonging to one's self." I can just hear some woman asking, "Do you mean Jesus commands me to submit to that idiot?!"

The word "submit" translates "hupotasso" and means, "to arrange under, to subordinate." The following explanation is also given in Strong's Dictionary in Online Bible: "A Greek military term meaning ‘to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader. In non military use, it was ‘a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.'" When I was in the military on two different occasions, I experienced this definition as I voluntarily submitted to the authority of anyone whose rank was higher than mine. The military is built on the system of authority. And there is a penalty exercised on those who are not willing to submit respectfully to that authority.

Paul instructs the wives in proper submission to their husbands. This is the Holy Spirit's word on this subject. It is the role of the woman from creation to be in submission to her husband. Peter gave the same kind of instructions in 1 Peter 3:1 6: "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."

Paul and Peter are by no means putting the woman down as we would call it. He is just saying that God had a purpose in mind when He created the woman and in this life, to be right with His purpose in creation, the woman must submit to the authority of her husband. This is what he means when he says, "as it is fit in the Lord." Next He says . . .

HUSBANDS LOVE YOUR WIVES

The word "husbands" translates "aner" and means, "a male or a betrothed husband." This word is also used to distinguish an adult man from a boy. The word "love" translates "agapao" and when it is used of persons it means, "to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly." This is a verb and is a present active imperative. The present tense means to continue to love them. The imperative mood is a command that expresses urgency. Stress is on the importance of the husband loving his wife dearly, thus making her task of submission to his authority a joy instead of a burden. The husband is under orders to love his wife and if he does not,