Some Christians claim that submission is always to a person in authority. In this article, I quote four prominent early Christian authors who speak positively about mutual submission among Jesus followers.
In her book The Making of Biblical Womanhood, Beth Allison Barr argues that the concept of “biblical womanhood” doesn’t come from the apostle Paul.
Is Ephesians 5:21-22 one sentence or two? What is the best way to punctuate these verses? How do ancient manuscripts treat them?
Is it significant that there is no “submit” word in Ephesians 5:22 in two of the oldest Greek manuscripts? Did Paul tell wives to submit?
In this article, I look at the Greek participles in Ephesians 5:18-21, especially the “submit” participle in verse 21.
Ephesians 5:21 is one New Testament verse that encourages mutual submission among Jesus’ followers. 1 Peter 5:5 is another. In this article, I look at the Greek grammar and vocabulary of 1 Peter 5:5.
The New Testament household codes in Ephesians 5-6 and Colossians 3-4 are not primarily about gender. They are about power and about mitigating abuse that often comes with power.
A few verses in Paul’s letters are frequently cited by Christians who exclude women from some ministries. Did Paul really restrict women in either ministry or marriage? This is part 3 of a series on gender roles in the Bible.
The stance of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to mutual submission in marriage is much more egalitarian than the stance of many evangelicals. Here are some interesting excerpts from the Vatican document on the “Dignity of Women” (Mulieris Dignitatem).
Is male headship and female submission the best way for husbands and wives who are in Christ to live by New Testament and New Creation principles?
Last Monday I chatted with Ashley Easter and Charlie Olivia Grantham about Ephesians 5 and a little bit about my marriage. Here are links to a 16-minute podcast of our conversation.
Do husbands have a particular responsibility for the spiritual growth of their wives? Will husbands one day present their wives to Jesus in much the same way as Jesus will present the church to himself? (Cf. Eph. 5:25-27)
Are men accountable for their wives’ actions? This article looks at the accountability of Adam and Eve (pre-patriarchy) and of Ananias and Sapphira (post-Pentecost)
In what way (or ways) is the relationship between Jesus and the church a model for marriage? What does Paul mean in Ephesians 5:22-33?
In Ephesians 5:33 it says that a wife should respect (phobeō) her husband. What is the connection between respect & fear? Did Paul want wives to be afraid?
When people think of the “masters” mentioned in the New Testament household codes, they tend to think of men. Many masters in NT times, however, were women. How does this realisation affect the notion of female submission?
Instructions for wifely submission and holy kisses are given in the NT, but one concept is often highlighted while the other is usually ignored.
Dear Dr Grudem, mutual submission is not a myth.
Submission is not always, or necessarily, to a person in authority (cf Ephesians 5:21-22).
What does submission mean? What does the Bible say about submission in marriage? Is wifely submission relevant in our society?
Ephesians 5:22-33 is written as a chiasm with a highlighted point at the centre of the passage. We misinterpret this passage if we miss this main point.
Does Paul’s statement in Ephesians 5:23, “the husband is the head of the wife,” mean that the husband has leadership or authority over his wife? And what about 1 Corinthians 11:3?
Do the concepts of wifely submission to husbands and the submission to governing authorities require that Christians put up with harmful people, practices, and policies? According to some Christians, the answers are “yes” for wives and “no” for citizens.
Would you like to support my ministry of encouraging mutuality and equality between men and women in the church and in marriage?
© 2021 Marg Mowczko