Submission–Positive or Negative?

Our Wednesday evening Bible class where we worship at West Citrus is studying the “One Another” commands in the New Testament. Last night was the command “Submit to One Another” based on Ephesians 5:21

Our teacher, Marvin, conducted an interesting experiment in preparation for the class. He emailed 6 of his friends and asked their impression of the word “submission.”

To make it more interesting, he chose three of his friends who were Christians and the other three were non-Christians.

All three non-Christian friends replied with a negative view of submission. One even suggested it sounded like surrender. None of them thought this was a good virtue.

In contrast Marvin’s three Christian friends replied with a positive view toward the concept of submission.

The little experiment showed the difference in the world view between Bible Believers and non-Believers. However, I wondered if that would be true of all who call themselves Christians?

What is your view of submission?

The word “submit” according to Thayer means: 1) to arrange under, to subordinate 2) to subject, to put in subjection 3) to subject oneself, to obey 4) to submit to one’s control 5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice 6) to obey, to be subject.”

Thayer further observed that “submit” was “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”.

It is interesting that the admonition “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” in Ephesians 5:21 precedes Paul’s command for wives to submit to their husbands, which is followed by children obeying the parents and slaves being in submission to their Masters. It is obvious in those cases there is a God given role in terms of authority.

But how do we submit to one another, especially a husband to a wife, or a parent to a child, or a master to a slave?

Submission has to do with meeting the needs of another. Of serving others. Of engaging in mutual ministry. It makes no difference where the authority is vested, nor does it lessen the responsibility to respect authority in a specific relationship.

Jesus has been given all authority. Yet He came to serve the needs of others. And ultimately gave Himself to die for our sins. God gave Pastors the role of authority in the local church to “feed the flock. However, they are servant-leaders, meeting the needs of those entrusted to their care. God ordained the husband to be the head of the home. Yet, he lovingly serves the needs of his wife and children. In the same way, Christians must be willing to subordinate their own feelings and desires for the greater good within the Body of Christ.

William Barclay observed that submission requires “mutual honor and respect.” We submit because we reverence Christ. Then he added, “{New Testament Christians} saw each other not in the light of their professions or social standing but in the light of Christ; and therefore they saw the dignity of every man.”

Colly Caldwell put it byngh this way “We must submit to our fellow Christians,” We can all learn from any fellow Christian. We can be corrected by any Christian. It is the selfish, insecure follower of Christ who cannot recognize God’s arrangements for peace and well being and who insists upon his own will.”

In a “me first” culture that prides itself on individuality this command seems old fashioned, outdated, even negative. Yet, when properly followed, it would solve many of our relationship conflicts in the 21st century.

Learning mutual submission will decrease our pride, increase our love for one another, contribute to spiritual growth, and demonstrate our Christ-like discipleship.

What is your view of submission? Positive? Or negative?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman