Submission is an often-emphasized theme in the Bible that focuses on the act of yielding to a higher authority. This concept is commonly illustrated through various stories, characters, and teachings across the Old and New Testaments. It’s prescribed as a way to demonstrate respect, obedience, and acknowledgment of divine leadership.
Who Must Exhibit Submission According to the Bible?
The Bible instructs everyone, regardless of age, gender or social status, to demonstrate submission. It encourages children to submit to their parents’ authority as a way of instilling discipline and upholding family unity. It advises wives to submit to their husbands, and husbands are called to love their wives selflessly. Employers and employees are also taught to interact with each other respectfully, emphasizing mutual submission and understanding.
What are the Implications of Submission?
The Bible portrays submission not as a sign of weakness but as an act of strength, humility, and assurance in God’s supreme leadership. Submitting under human authority is a practice meant to maintain order, peace, and harmony among people. Moreover, it’s a reflection of our submission to God, who is the ultimate authority. However, it’s crucial to differentiate between respectful submission and unwarranted obedience. Godly submission never tolerates abuse, oppression or injustice.
Where Does Submission Apply in the Bible?
The Bible advocates for submission in various aspects of life, from family relationships to societal roles. It stipulates respect for governing authorities, underscoring that every authority is instituted by God. This includes obeying laws, paying taxes and giving due honor. In the family unit, Ephesians outlines the role of submission between spouses and between children and their parents. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for mutual submission in the church community as believers surrender their personal interests for the sake of unity and the advancement of Christ’s mission.
Why Does the Bible Teach Submission?
The essence of Christian submission as taught by the Bible is rooted in love, reverence for God, and the pursuit of peace. It’s portrayed as a voluntary act of reverence, prompting the faithful to prioritize God’s will over their own. By submitting to earthly authorities, believers demonstrate their trust in God’s sovereignty besides promoting peace and order. Submission also facilitates a harmonious coexistence, promotes humility and prevents conflicts.
When is Submission Mentioned in the Bible?
Examples of submission are scattered throughout the Bible. During Jesus’ life on earth, He exemplified submission by obeying God’s will, even when it led to His crucifixion. Proverbs highlight the importance of children submitting to their parents’ guidance. In Ephesians, Paul instructs the church community about the significance of mutual submission, likening the relationship between Christ and the church to that of a husband and wife. Daniel’s obedience to higher authorities, despite the threat of persecution, is another instance where the principle of submission is underscored.
Below is the full list of bible verses on submission (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Submission
Ephesians 5:21
“21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
Related Themes: Reverence Attitude Marriage Equality Marriage
Hebrews 13:17
“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.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Discernment Reverence Manipulation Leadership
James 4:7
“7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Related Themes: Lust Bitterness Addiction Satan Surrender
1 Peter 5:5
“5 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.”
Related Themes: Humility Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents Children
Ephesians 5:24
“24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”
Related Themes: Submissiveness
Luke 22:42
“42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Related Themes: Humility Suffering Pleasing God Sacrifice
Ephesians 5:22
“22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:25
“25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
1 Peter 5:6
“6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
Related Themes: Humility Frustration Anxiety Nervousness Love
1 Corinthians 14:34
“34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”
Related Themes: Morals Silence Submissiveness
Romans 8:7
“7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
Related Themes: Lust Attitude Holiness Pride Persecution
1 Peter 3:5-6
“5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”
Romans 13:1-7
“1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Politics Morality Sovereignty
Colossians 3:18
“18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.”
1 Peter 2:13-14
“13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”
1 Peter 3:1
“1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;”
Philippians 2:3-8
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents
Matthew 26:39
“39 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.”
1 Peter 5:3
“3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
Related Themes: Humility Leadership
Genesis 3:16
“16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
Related Themes: Submissiveness Hair Benevolence Equality
Colossians 3:22-24
“22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Fidelity Morality Pleasing God Work
Romans 7:4
“4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
Related Themes: Lust
1 Peter 2:13
“13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;”
Titus 2:5
“5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Related Themes: Morality Morals Impurity Purity Submissiveness
Hebrews 5:8
“8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”
Related Themes: Suffering Obedience Discipline
Romans 13:1
“1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Politics Morality Sovereignty
Titus 3:1
“1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
Job 22:21
“21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
Related Themes: Peace
1 Peter 5:5-7
“5 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.6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Related Themes: Humility Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents Children
James 4:7-10
“7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Related Themes: Lust Bitterness Addiction Satan Surrender
