Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context: Submission, in a biblical context, refers to the act of yielding or surrendering one's own will to the authority or will of another, often in obedience to God or to established structures of authority. It is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing humility, obedience, and respect within various relationships and societal structures.
Biblical Foundations: The concept of submission is deeply rooted in the Bible, beginning with the relationship between humanity and God. Submission to God is portrayed as an essential aspect of faith and obedience.
James 4:7 instructs believers, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This verse highlights the importance of aligning oneself with God's will as a means of spiritual victory.
Submission in Human Relationships: 1.
Marital Submission: The New Testament provides specific instructions regarding submission within marriage.
Ephesians 5:22-24 states, "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." This passage underscores the parallel between the marital relationship and the relationship between Christ and the Church, emphasizing a model of loving leadership and respectful submission.
2.
Mutual Submission: While the Bible calls for wives to submit to their husbands, it also advocates for mutual submission among all believers.
Ephesians 5:21 instructs, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission is a reflection of humility and love within the Christian community, promoting unity and harmony.
3.
Submission to Authorities: Christians are also called to submit to governing authorities as an expression of their submission to God.
Romans 13:1 states, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God." This passage emphasizes the divine origin of authority and the believer's responsibility to respect and obey civil leaders, as long as such obedience does not conflict with God's commands.
4.
Submission in the Church: The structure of church leadership also involves submission.
Hebrews 13:17 advises, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep 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." This verse highlights the role of church leaders as shepherds and the responsibility of the congregation to support and follow their guidance.
The Example of Christ: The ultimate example of submission is found in Jesus Christ, who submitted to the will of the Father even unto death.
Philippians 2:5-8 describes this submission: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Christ's submission is the model for all believers, demonstrating that true submission involves humility, sacrifice, and obedience to God's will.
Conclusion: While the Bible does not provide a conclusion on submission, it is clear that submission is a multifaceted concept that permeates various aspects of Christian life. It calls for a heart attitude of humility and obedience, reflecting the character of Christ and fostering peace and order within the family, church, and society.
Topical Bible Verses
James 4:7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Topicalbible.orgHebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
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Colossians 3:22-24
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
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Ephesians 5:21
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
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1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
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Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
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Luke 22:42
Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.
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1 Peter 3:5-6
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of yielding to power or authority; surrender of the person and power to the control or government of another; obedience; compliance.
2. (n.) The state of being submissive; acknowledgement of inferiority or dependence; humble or suppliant behavior; meekness; resignation.
3. (n.) Acknowledgement of a fault; confession of error.
4. (n.) An agreement by which parties engage to submit any matter of controversy between them to the decision of arbitrators.
Greek
5292. hupotage -- subjection ... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hupotage Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-ot-ag-ay') Short Definition: subjection,
submission Definition: subjection
... 5218. hupakoe -- obedience
... obedience. From hupakouo; attentive hearkening, ie (by implication) compliance or
submission -- obedience, (make) obedient, obey(-ing). see GREEK hupakouo. ...
4029. perikeimai -- to lie around
... i-mahee) Short Definition: I surround, am surrounded with Definition: I lie about,
surround; I am encompassed, surrounded, or clothed with, am in submission to ...
831. authenteo -- to govern, exercise authority
... 831 (from 846 , "self" and , "arms, armor") -- properly, to , ie acting
as an -- literally, -appointed (acting without submission). ...
Library
Submission.
... SUBMISSION. SUBMISSION. 10,10,10,10,10,10. "In your patience possess ye your
souls.""Luke 21:19. "Stille, mein Wille! dein Jesu hilft siegen.". [40]Unbekanntes. ...
Submission.
... SUBMISSION. SUBMISSION. 11,10,11,10,11,10,11,10,10,10,10,10,10,6. "It is
the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good.""1:Sam.3:18. ...
Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children
Submission to Divine Providence in the Death of Children. <. Submission
to Divine Providence in the Death of Children Phillip Doddridge. ...
Submission and Peace
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV SUBMISSION AND PEACE. 'Great peace have they which
love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.' PSALM cxix.165. ...
Penitence Submission.
... Penitence Submission. II. Submission. 6,6,10,6,6,10. Ach Gott und Herr wie gross
und schwer. [270]Rutilius.1604; and Gross.1627. Alas! my Lord and God,. ...
Submission.
... SUBMISSION AND RELIANCE. 628. " Submission. 628. LM Beddome. Submission. 1 Wait,
O my soul, thy Maker's will! Tumultuous passions, all be still! ...
Submission.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 29 Submission. William Cowper 8,6,8,6. Submission.
O Lord, my best desire fulfill. And help me to resign,. ...
Trust and Submission.
... SUBMISSION AND RELIANCE. 621. " Trust and Submission. 621. LM Norton. Trust
and Submission. 1 My God, I thank thee! may no thought ...
Letter xix. Submission to the Will of God; Dependence Upon Him for ...
... LETTERS, &c. LETTER XIX. Submission to the Will of God; Dependence upon Him
for Temporal Things, and Contentment under all Circumstances. ...
Psalm 131. Humility and Submission.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 131. Humility and submission. 1 Is there ambition
in my heart? Search, gracious God, and see; Or do I act a haughty part? ...
Thesaurus
Submission (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Submission (10 Occurrences).
... (WEB). 1 Corinthians 14:32
and the spirits of Prophets yield
submission to Prophets. (WEY).
...Submissive (12 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Showing a readiness to submit; expressing submission; as, a submissive
demeanor. Multi-Version Concordance Submissive (12 Occurrences). ...
Prayers (99 Occurrences)
... and repetition (Matthew 6:7); necessity of faith and a forgiving spirit (Mark
11:24-26); of agreement in social prayer (Matthew 18:19); submission to the will ...
Vail (44 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To lower, or take off, in token of inferiority, reverence, submission,
or the like. ... 8. (n.) Submission; decline; descent. Int. ...
Tributary (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion, as an acknowledgment
of submission, or to secure protection, or for the purpose of purchasing peace. ...
Bow (248 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To bend; to curve. 7. (vi) To stop. 8. (vi) To bend the head, knee, or
body, in token of reverence or submission; -- often with down. ...
Great (10383 Occurrences)
... might, during the prosecution of the siege of Gaza, with a small company press into
the hill country of Judea, at once to secure the submission of Jerusalem ...
Obedience (61 Occurrences)
... to rightful restraint or control. 2. (n.) Words or actions denoting submission
to authority; dutifulness. 3. (n.) A following; a ...
Election (6 Occurrences)
... In Romans 9:11 the context is charged with the most urgent and even staggering
challenges to submission and silence in the presence of the inscrutable. ...
God (45911 Occurrences)
... that may be compared to a new birth (John 3:3). Man must turn and return from
disobedience and alienation through repentance to childlike submission (Luke 15: ...
Resources
Does a wife have to submit to her husband? | GotQuestions.orgAccording to the Bible, to whom are we to be submissive, and why? | GotQuestions.orgShould Christian women wear head coverings? | GotQuestions.orgSubmission: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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