A humble attitude where obedience is rendered within a relationship; whether it be to God, authorities or other people at work, in the church, in marriage or in the family.
God requires submission
From all people
Psalm 2:9–11 See also Job 22:21; 1 Peter 5:6
You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.” Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
From Christians especially
Matthew 6:9–10 See also Hebrews 12:9; James 4:7
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The submission of Jesus Christ to his Father
Luke 22:42 parallels Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36 See also John 5:19, John 12:49–50; 1 Corinthians 15:27–28; Hebrews 5:7–8, Hebrews 10:5–7
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
The submissive spirit required in the church
In believers' relationships with one another
Ephesians 5:21 See also Philippians 2:5–7
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
To Jesus Christ
Ephesians 5:24 See also Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18 As the body is subject to the head, so the church is subject to Christ.
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
To the Scriptures
Joshua 1:7–8 See also Psalm 119:133; Colossians 3:15; James 1:22–25; Revelation 22:18–19
Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
To church leaders
Hebrews 13:17 See also Romans 13:1; 1 Corinthians 16:15–16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
In prophecy
1 Corinthians 14:32 The implication is that individual prophecies must be submitted to the overall judgment of the church.
The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
The submission of all to civil government
Romans 13:1 See also Matthew 22:21 parallels Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25; Romans 13:2–7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13–14
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
Submission within other relationships
Of wives to husbands
Ephesians 5:22–24 See also Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:4–5; 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 3:5–6
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Of children to parents
Ephesians 6:1–3 See also Exodus 20:12; Galatians 4:2; Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”
Of slaves to masters
Ephesians 6:5–8 See also Colossians 3:22–24; Titus 2:9–10; 1 Peter 2:18
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Of young to old
1 Peter 5:5 See also Leviticus 19:32
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Reciprocal attitudes are commended to safeguard against abuse
Ephesians 5:25–33, Ephesians 6:4, Ephesians 6:9; 1 Timothy 2:1–2; 1 Peter 5:1–4 Those in authority have a responsibility to set an example.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.