WHAT IS SUBMISSION?
Ask ten women what they hesitate about most in marriage, and possibly eight or nine will say one word — submission.
It’s a concept that raises eyebrows, triggers defenses, and stirs up strong emotions among womenfolk. But what does it really mean? And why did God include it in His design for marriage?
Before we go too far, let’s define the word properly.
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Definition of Submission
The word submission is from the Latin root words “sub” (under) and “missio” (a sending, or a mission). Put together, it means “to come under a mission or authority.” It has to do with a recognition of authority, and yielding.
The Hebrew words for submission in the scriptures include:
- Anah: to stoop, bow down, become low. (Gen. 16:9 – “Return and submit yourself…”)
- Kana: to bring low, humble, subdue. It is used in contexts of humbling oneself before God or a king. (Leviticus 26:41)
- Raphas: to stamp oneself down, humble oneself . (Psalm 66:3)
The Greek word most translated as submission in the New Testament is Hupotassō, which means to arrange under, subordinate oneself, obey. It is a military term that means “to rank under,” like soldiers under a captain, and it is the word used in Ephesians 5:22 and James 4:7 (Submit yourselves therefore to God…).
READ ALSO: WHY DO WE MARRY?
Submission is Not a Woman Problem
Often, we think submission is hard for women because of past hurts or fear of abuse. But that is not reality at all.
Truth is, many girls develop resistance to submission as early as age 10 or 12, long before they experience hurt in a relationship. It’s not just women — rebellion is in human nature. People resist rules, not necessarily because they were hurt, but because they don’t like being told what to do.
And in many situations where people tolerate authority, it’s usually because they see personal benefit — money, status, favor. That’s not submission; that’s survival.
The real issue is this: human pride and self-will fight the very idea of yielding. So, submission is not only hard because people have been hurt. That’s a secondary reason. The core problem is our human nature.
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Submission is about God’s Order in the Home
The Lord gave clear instructions about each person’s role in the family:
- Wives — submit to your husbands as unto the Lord (Eph. 5:22)
- Husbands — love your wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25)
- Children — obey your parents (Eph. 6:1)
Each role has its place. Therefore, submission in marriage is about structure. Marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:24). In the same way the Church submits to Christ, wives are called to submit to their husbands. It’s a divine order — not a man-made idea.
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Let’s Pause Here
I’ll leave you here to think on these foundations — the meaning of submission, and why it’s often rejected.
In the coming episode, we will examine submission within marriage:
- How does God expect it to be practiced?
- What are the real-life implications?
- Why do so many wives resist it?
- What are the consequences of ignoring this order?
We’ll take it step by step. Stay with us as we think through these things — scripturally.
READ NEXT: SUBMISSION IN MARRIAGE (PART 2)
