Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do 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. (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Today, we begin a five-part devotion series, "The Gospel and Relationships," where we will explore how the profound truths of the Gospel inform and transform our relationships. The apostle Paul's letter to

the Ephesians offers a blueprint for relationships that are deeply rooted in the love and grace that come

from our relationship with Christ. 

Over the course of this series, we will delve into Ephesians 5:22-6:9, examining the roles and

responsibilities of wives, husbands, children, parents, workers, and leaders. We’ll see how these roles

are not just social constructs, but divine calls to reflect Christ's love to the world. Now, let's begin with

our first devotion, focusing on the instructions to wives found in Ephesians 5:22-24. 

At first glance, Paul's words to wives in Ephesians 5:22-24 may seem archaic, perhaps even oppressive

by modern standards. However, to understand Paul's message, we must view these verses within the

larger context of the Gospel and the mutual submission that is called for in the verse that precedes this

passage (Ephesians 5:21). 

The Greek word for "submit" is "hypotasso," which can also be translated as "to arrange under," "to subordinate," or "to yield to one's admonition or advice." It is a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden. 

Paul's call for wives to submit is not a call to blind obedience or inferiority. Rather, it is an invitation to

model the relationship between Christ and the Church. Just as the Church recognizes the loving

authority of Christ and follows Him, wives are called to recognize the role of their husbands within the

context of marital unity. It is a picture of complementary partnership, where both husband and wife are

called to different roles but are equal in value and dignity. 

In a Gospel-centered marriage, submission is not about power or dominance; it's about love and

respect. It's a dance of coordination, not a battle of competition. The husband's role, which we will

explore in the next devotion, is characterized by sacrificial love, mirroring Christ's love for the Church—a

love that led Him to lay down His life. 

Consider how the Gospel shapes your view of submission within marriage. It is not about losing your

identity or voice but about finding harmony in the way God designed marital roles to function. 

By Jim Connell

Jim is the founder and retired director of Lexington Rescue Mission and the author of

JesusIsLordBlog.com