Non-Christians regularly throw around words that should not be part of a believer’s vocabulary. No matter how flippantly people may say, “Oh my God,” Christians should never use our Creator’s name irreverently.
You already knew that. What is interesting is that there are words in the Christians vocabulary that society treats as swear words.
One such word is “submit.” Depending on where you say the, “submit,” people may look at you like you just used profanity. Say “submit” and the hair on the back of culture’s neck stands straight up.
Christians, on the other hand, should treasure the word “submit” and talk about it often. Repeatedly, the Bible tells Christians to submit (Ephesians 5:21). Wives should submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22). Children should submit to their parents. Employees should submit to those over them in the work place. Citizens should submit to the government. Church members should submit to their pastors and leaders (Hebrews 13:17).
The New Testament word for submission is the Greek word, “ὑποτάσσω / upotassō.” It means “to voluntarily yield to in love.”
We submit for our own benefit. God tells children to submit to their parents that it may go well with them (Ephesians 6:1-3). When we submit, when we place ourselves under the authority of another, we stand underneath a shelter that God Himself has built.
Of course, God did not intend for people to be abused. That is not the point. But, don’t let anyone tell you that submission is a naughty word. It’s a beautiful word, commanded by Him for His glory and our joy.
The biblical concept of submission is a beautiful one. God works in and through submission and uses those over us to shelter us from some of the storms of life.
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Technical information about the Greek word, ὑποτάσσω.
The word ὑποτάσσω appears over thirty times in the New Testament. Its use is not confined to a particular author. It appears in Luke, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, Titus, Hebrews, James, and 1 Peter. Each use is briefly summarized below.
1. Luke 2:51 – To describe Christ’s obedience to his parents.
2. Luke 10:17 – To describe the demon’s submission to the apostles.
3. Luke 10:20 – To describe the spirit’s submission to the apostles.
4. Romans 8:7 – To indicate that the sinful mind is not submissive to God’s law.
5. Romans 8:20 – To describe the submission of creation to the cosmic effects of sin.
6. Romans 10:3 – To describe those that would not submit to the righteousness of God.
7. Romans 13:1 – To indicate that all must submit to the authorities that God has established.
8. Romans 13:5 – To indicate why all must submit to the authorities that God has established.
9. 1 Corinthians 14:32 – To indicate that the spirits of prophets must be subject to the prophets.
10. 1 Corinthians 14:34 – To describe the submissiveness that women must have to men.
11. 1 Corinthians 15:27 – To describe Christ’s dominion over all things.
12. 1 Corinthians 15:28 – Same type of usage as 15:27.
13. 1 Corinthians 16:16 – Admonishing submission to the Church.
14. Ephesians 1:22 – Describing Christ’s authority over all things.
15. Ephesians 5:21 – Describing the submission that Christians should have toward one another.
16. Ephesians 5:22 – Describing the submission of wives to husbands.
17. Ephesians 5:24 – Same type of usage as 5:22.
18. Philippians 3:21 – Referring to Christ’s authority over all things.
19. Colossians 3:18 – Describing the submission of wives to husbands.
20. Titus 2:5 – Describing the submission of wives to husbands.
21. Titus 2:9 – In reference to slaves being subject to their masters.
22. Titus 3:1 – A reminder to believers to be subject to the authorities.
23. Hebrews 2:5 – In a negative sense, to indicate that the world to come will not be subjected to angels.
24. Hebrews 2:8 – Used to describe Christ’s authority over all things.
25. Hebrews 12:9 – To describe the submission that we must have to the Father.
26. James 4:7 – To describe the submission that we are to have to God.
27. 1 Peter 2:13 – Referring to the submission that we must have to all authorities.
28. 1 Peter 2:18 – Referring to the submission that slaves must have for their masters.
29. 1 Peter 3:1 – Describing the submission of wives to husbands.
30. 1 Peter 3:5 – Describing the submission of wives to husbands.
31. 1 Peter 3:22 – Indicating that all things are under the authority of Christ.
32. 1 Peter 5:5 – Describing that young men must be submissive to those who are older.
From considering all of the uses of ὑποτάσσω in the New Testament two observations will be made. First, the ways in which ὑποτάσσω are fairly consistent from one author to another. For the most part they fall into one of several categories. These categories, all related to the idea of authority and a dominion, include family, government, Christ, God, the Church, and the apostles. Peter uses ὑποτάσσω six times and a parallel for each of them is found in the writings of another author in the New Testament. This is summarized in Table 2 below. It is recognized that ὑποτάσσω is used in reference to a variety of types of relationships. However, the point here is that it is used in the same basic way in these different situations.
A second set of observations pertain to the use of ὑποτάσσω in Hebrews 2:8 where it is used twice, both as an active verb and as an infinitive. This use is particularly significant because it is being used to describe Christ’s authority in the same that Peter is using it in 3:22. It is also an excellent passage to consider because it is a quote of Psalm 8:6. Psalm 8:6, of course, refers to the love and mercy of God who placed all creation under the authority of man. From the author of Hebrews and Peter, it can be concluded that New Testament authors understood ὑποτάσσω to be a powerful word which could effectively be used to describe Christ’s supreme rule.
I really like this, Chris. It reminds me of a new song by Christy Nockels, “My Master”, that is one of my current favorites. Christy says this about the lyrics to that song: “Serving and calling Jesus “Master” doesn’t’ seem to be a real popular thing in this world to have rolling around in your vocabulary and in your everyday life. However, I am compelled to tell of the joy and freedom I have experienced in serving my Master. I will tell of His mighty ways, drawing near to Him and remembering what He has saved me from! Of this, I will forever sing!”
Master. Submit. Not popular, at all, so be it. My favorite line from that song is: “I love my Master, I will not go free.”
Right on.
I like this post. Recently Steven and I were talking about Paul and how he refers to himself as a “bondservant” in many of his letters. What we discovered was that the word “bondservant” or “slave” had a different connotation for the Jews than what it does for us today. Exodus 21:1-6 discusses how slaves were to be set free after 6 years. If, at that time, a slave chose a life of servitude over his freedom, he would bond himself to his master for the rest of his life. It was a choice. For us, it is a choice that is made from a place of love. That is the heart of submission, and it is precious in His sight.
I also believe that a lot of people miss the practical side of submission. For example, Jesus himself had to submit to the Father. We serve the Triune God. Does that make Jesus less important than the Father? No. Deference has nothing to do with worth.
I also appreciate you taking a moment to acknowledge that there is a difference between submission and abuse. Sadly, there are some who twist the word of God to their own advantage. Unless we have studied to show ourselves approved we can get swept away by something God never had in mind.
Indeed this is a profane term in today’s increasingly narcissistic culture. I would add that “obey” is also considered a 4-letter word. If only we could see the point of submission and obedience and understand that it’s good for us, primarily because the function of every creature as a creature is to align ourselves under the Creator. If only we could see the The τέλος of obedience.
Christina’s note reminded me of Murray Harris’ address to the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s graduating ceremony in ’96 on being a slave of Christ, which I had the privilege to hear and which he’s written on here.
Excellent point, and much needed today! (I respectfully submit)