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Submission is a concept that may seem contrary to human nature, yet we all recognize its necessity in certain aspects of life. Without submission, disorder quickly ensues as everyone vies for control. Despite being at times ridiculed as a display of weakness, submission stands as one of the strongest pillars of a stable society. What guidance does the Bible offer on the boundaries of submission?
To begin with, it is essential to grasp the true meaning of submission. The term “submit” in English originates from a Latin root that signifies “to let down, reduce, or yield,” portraying the act of kneeling before a superior. Even in modern language, there are traces of its origins: having a “sub-mission” would imply having a “secondary” mission that yields to a greater one. In the New Testament, the Greek word used is hupotasso, meaning “to put under or arrange under,” a military term denoting lower-ranking soldiers organizing themselves under the commands of higher officers. Therefore, submission stems from a recognition of proper order and authority.
All authority is derived from God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and we are instructed to submit to Him “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”, (James 4:7). Once we have submitted to God, our ultimate Authority, understanding and adhering to the chain of human authority in this world becomes more straightforward. David honored King Saul’s authority as the one anointed by God “The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.”, (1 Samuel 26:11). Daniel also respected King Darius’s authority “Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.”, (Daniel 6:21)./em>, (Daniel 6:21). Romans 11:36 reminds us that all things are from God, through God, and to God, so He is the highest authority.
Jesus Himself recognized God’s authority and was submissive to it. In John 4:34, Jesus said His purpose was “to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work,” and in John 5:30, “I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” Jesus’ entire life was one of submission to the Father, culminating with His great prayer of submission just before His death, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” «And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. », (Matthew 26:39). If we will be disciples of Christ, we must submit to Christ’s authority, just as He submitted to the Father’s (Luke 6:46;Luke 14:27).
This brings us to the more common question: to whom are we to submit, when, and why? The “why” is easy to answer—because God commands it, and He is the highest authority. First Peter 2:13–14 gives the general concept: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” Since all authority comes from God, we are to submit to anyone who is placed in authority over us. In so doing, we submit to God. Likewise, to rebel against those in authority is tantamount to rebelling against God. That is one reason why Christians through the ages have allowed themselves to be martyred rather than take up arms against the State.
Wives are to submit to their ownHusbands should show reverence and worship to God (1 Peter 3:1-6). The example Peter provides of Sarah and Abraham refers to a time when Abraham asked her to lie to protect himself: “And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, ‘This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.'” (Genesis 20:13). Despite appearing to put herself in harm’s way, she submitted, and God intervened to protect her. Peter explains that this kind of submission can help win over a disobedient and faithless husband.
Young men are instructed to submit to their elders: “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5). This instruction shows respect for their age and wisdom. It echoes the command given to children in Deuteronomy 5:16 to honor their father and mother. Parents are responsible for raising and training their children, who should honor and obey them. Respecting and obeying our elders, acknowledging their greater knowledge, establishes a foundation for a healthy society.
Christians are urged to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ: “submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21). This practice combats selfish pride and aligns with the directive to regard others as superior to ourselves: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”(Philippians 2:3). If our purpose on this earth is to do the will of God, then submitting to someone else becomes an act of trust in God. We naturally look out for our best interests, but if we trust God to take care of us, then we are free to take care of others.
Our service to our employers also fits into the submission framework. Ephesians 6:5–8 says we should obey our masters just as we would obey Christ, and do it wholeheartedly, as if we were serving the Lord. The reason in verse 8 is that “you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” Everything comes back to recognizing God’s authority and control over our lives.
Even when a higher authority violates God’s order, we can submit in a godly fashion. When the apostles were arrested for preaching about Jesus, they did not resist. However, when told to stop preaching Jesus, they replied, “We must obey God rather than men!” «Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. », (Acts 5:29). They appealed to a higher authority and continued to preach Jesus openly, even though it led to persecution. In some cases, they saw God bring miraculous deliverance. In others, God allowed martyrdom. In all cases, they rejoiced “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” «And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. », (Acts 5:41).
The Bible has many other things to say about submission, but these brief examples give the main idea. God is the supreme authority, and He has established earthly authorities. When we keep ourselves within that framework, God is pleased, and we are able to see Him work.
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