Ephesians 5:21

“Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

A note about topic headings in the Bible

Many Bible editions divide the text into paragraphs, and often have section headings. These items can be helpful, but we must always remember that they ( with the exception of the titles in the Psalms) are not a part of the divinely Inspired text.

in particular, the section heading at this point in some Bibles, especially the NIV, is very misleading. if there is a division to be made, this verse, verse 21, belongs with verse 22 and not with verse 20

The insertion of a section heading after verse 21 can cause readers to separate the general injunction to be subject to one another from the particular issues of submission in marriage. it is clear that Paul is not intending to give husbands freedom to reign over their wives, yet we make it that impression if we separate v. 21 from vs 22 to 33 .

to be subject (or to submit) to another person is to acknowledge that they have desires, needs, priorities that are different to our own. We recognise this in the workplace where many of us are required to subject ourselves to rules, policies, procedures, and directions. We may not always see why we have to do certain things or to do them in a particular way, but for the sake of a paycheck we submit.

Paul is telling us that in the church we must all submit to one another. This does not mean that the church should not have leaders who can direct the people. As an apostle, Paul was constantly giving advice and direction.

to build up community, a family in which every person is accepted and loved, every member of the family has to be aware of the needs of each other. We all have to be prepared to make compromises, and to pay attention to others.

this is the practical outworking of the command to “love one another.” In loving another person, I prioritise the other in the belief that this will bring them joy. There is no “ quid pro quo” or demand for some form of payment.

to be subject to others means that we place others’ needs above our own, seeking to express love for one another in the practicalities of live together.

For leaders- apostles, elders, pastors, etc- there is a particular responsibility to lead expressly for the sake of those who are the least or the weakest in the kingdom. Jesus told us that leaders must serve and not lord it over their followers (see Luke 22:25-27).

Our submission to one another must be in the right context. People can be subject to leaders or to other people for all kinds of reasons. Paul tells us our submission must be from “ reverence for Christ”.

The Greek word here is phobos which means fear. The concept of fear of Christ or fear of God is often misunderstood. We think of fear as a kind of terror or dread. We fear things or people that have the capacity to destroy us or harm us.

god certainly has the power. He chooses not to destroy us because he loves us. We know that if we choose to rebel against him, He will punish us. We submit to God because His love rules us, and His wrath repels us from sim.

our holy fear of Christ (or reverence) should direct us to be subject to others in the church. We love others because Christ has commanded it. We submit to others for the same reason. How could we do other than to obey our King?

The church is meant to be a holy community in which all members are connected by love for Christ and for one another. It must never be allowed to become a consumer-driven institution where people come and pay a fee to be entertained or spiritually enlightened.

because we have all died in Christ, we are in no position to demand anything from others. Our only consistent relationship with others is to submit to one another.

key points in this verse:

• Be careful of chapter and section headings in the Bible

• We are all to look to meet the needs of each other

• Community grows as we surrender our own desires for the sake of others

• the church is not a consumer driven institution