In Ephesians chapter 5 the Apostle Paul teaches us much about Christian inter-personal relationships. Including this little “nugget,” short but clear: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:21
Just prior to our verse the Holy Spirit has written: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5, verses 18-21, then … we may assume “submitting to each other” is a result of being “filled with the Spirit!” Just as being joyful and thankful are fruits of His Fullness.
Wow!
Then, immediately following “Submitting yourselves one to another ” comes Bible instructions about “Wives to Husbands” and “Husbands to Wives” duties. Things like: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” And then “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
So … our verse today is “in good company.”
Let’s talk about it.
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
One might not be able to obey this one … apart from living under the “fear of the Lord.” The word (“phobos”) means “respect, reverence,” and essentially (in this setting) “worship.”
We will live best “with each other” when we are living best “toward God!”
Always!
The Ten Commandments begin by getting us right with God … then continue by getting us right with our fellow human beings!
Now to the key participle “submitting.”
It is “hupotasso” in Greek.
And it’s actually a pretty strong word!
With military undertones.
It means “to put in place” … “underneath” someone else.
Humble yourself.
Lower yourself.
Make yourself less … than another!
Yield to him or her.
(As she yields back to you, mutually so.)
This attitude would surely squelch dissention, would it not?
No more “my way or no way” bullying!
Another definition, “to be subordinate.”
And Thayer’s Lexicon actually says, “to obey.”
Now … with those thoughts in mind, I leave you with the verse. With you and the Holy Spirit anyway. Work it out to your own satisfaction, under His guidance.
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell