What Does the Bible Really Say about Submission?

The biblical definition of submission involves willingly yielding to the authority, guidance, or will of another, acting with humility and respect. Scriptural submission doesn’t imply inequality or slavery, but rather a willingness to align ourselves with God’s order and purpose. 

The Old Testament uses the Hebrew word kabash for submission, meaning to subdue or bring under control (Genesis 1:28). While this word caries a sense of ruling, another word gives a more complex definition. The Hebrew word shama, also used for submission, means “to listen” or “to obey,” used many times in context of obedience to God’s commands. These two words give a sense of authority and willing obedience regarding submission.

In the New Testament, scholars most often translate hypotasso for submission. This term means “to place under” or “to subject oneself” and frequently describes the relational aspect of submission, to God and between believers.

Expressed through the Hebrew and Greek terms, submission involves voluntarily yielding to authority with motives of humility and respect, whether to God, in relationships, or within the society. Willingness, choice, is the foundation to biblical submission. Godly submission comes from love (not fear or coercion) and an understanding of God’s kingdom order and purpose. No one naturally submits in this biblical sense. The Spirit must give us the power, freedom, and insight to make these choices. Submission then becomes a discipline reflecting our desire to honor God in all relationships.

Far from implying weakness, godly submission requires strength and faith, grounded in a deep commitment to God’s will.

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Since God is the ultimate authority over all creation, yielding go God forms the foundation of the whole Christian life. Throughout Scripture, it calls believers to surrender their wills to God, acknowledging his ways are higher than ours. 

This is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of the Kingdom he preached. Jesus preached, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 4:7). Biblical repentance turns our lives completely over to God and submits our will to his. But he will not force our submission. Every knee will bow and tongue confess Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Repentance is our willing choice to do so now. 

God is the supreme authority over all. “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). God creates the world, sustains it, and governs it according to his love and purposes. Our submission and repentance acknowledge his rule as absolute, and his judgment is final. 

James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” When we place ourselves under God’s authority, we align desires and actions with his will. We accept his rule in our lives. James gives a practical and spiritual benefit, connecting our submission to God with resisting temptation and standing firm against sin, trusting in God’s power to help us. 

In the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). In that moment, Jesus’ will contrasted God’s, since he didn’t want to endure the coming pain and suffering. But he chose to submit to the Father’s plan, despite the coming agony. Hebrews 12:2 tells us Jesus endured the cross because he saw the joy before him. He knew it wouldn’t be the end of the story. 

Since God’s authority is absolute, we can trust his love and promises. Just as Jesus did, we can trust that “all things work together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Thankfully, God has placed the Spirit of Jesus to empower us to submit to him as we should. 

Submission to God first and foremost guides our loving submission to all others.

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In Romans 13:1-2, Paul writes, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.” Christians submit to government authorities, not because their authority is inherently good but because God controls who rules on earth, both good and bad. Paul does emphasize how rebellion against such authority resists God’s divine order.

The apostle Peter links submission to the government with maintaining peace and justice in society. He instructs believers to “submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority; whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to command those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-14). Submission to government is done for the Lord’s sake, for our witness to him, as an act of honoring God and not a simple civic duty.

Within the church, Hebrews 13:17 instructs Christians to “have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.” Church leaders shepherd the spiritual health of a faith community, and the Bible encourages members to submit to their guidance and leadership, recognizing these leaders are accountable to God. This church submission endeavors to create unity, peace, and common spiritual growth.

However, the Bible also includes examples when people didn’t blindly obey leaders. When earthly authorities conflict with God’s commands, believers prioritize the Lord. In Acts 5:29, the apostles respond to the Jewish leaders who ordered them to stop preaching about Jesus, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” In the Old Testament, Daniel shows the complexity of obeying authority and making God a priority. When the Emperor made a statue and commanded everyone to bow to it, they wouldn’t, even under threat of death. As we know, three young Jewish men miraculously survived the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Later, Daniel himself continued to pray to God, even though it was against Persian law, and God saved him from the lion’s den (Daniel 6). In all other ways, Daniel sought to serve Babylon and Persia.

In the church setting, Paul aggressively confronts Peter regarding the Gospel (Galatians 2). Peter had been separating himself, a Jew, from the Gentile Christians like the old Law. Paul believed this went against the Gospel of Jesus and resisted Peter, the main leader of the early church. At the same time, Paul went to Jerusalem’s leaders to submit his ministry to the Gentiles and seek accountability, revealing his respect for their spiritual authority (Galatians 2:1-2).

These are complex and interesting narratives that help clarify what godly submission means regarding earthly and church authority. If our submission to them is meant to honor God, we can’t therefore dishonor God to do it. This recognizes God as the highest authority.

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The Bible also instructs us to submit to one another in the Christian community through mutual respect, love, and humility. Godly submission isn’t about power or dominance but serving others out of reverence for Jesus. 

The Apostle Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:21, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Love for Jesus and a desire to reflect his humility motivates Christian submission. Jesus set the ultimate example by serving his disciples, even washing their feet (John 13:14-15). Jesus had all power and authority, and he used that privilege to humble himself and serve. His disciples must follow this model of servant leadership, placing the needs of others above their own. 

Submission in marriage becomes a hot topic. Ephesians 5:22-24 instructs wives to “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.” Here, Paul establishes the husband’s role as leader in the home, likening it to Christ’s leadership of the church. 

However, we can’t take this verse about marriage separate from the larger context, neither dismissing the other. While the Bible calls the wife to see her husband as leader, this doesn’t mean the man never submits to her in return. In fact, good leadership must recognize the dignity of others, their talents and insight. Second, the next verse gives important context. Husbands should “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). A controlling and domineering leadership by the husband isn’t godly. The Lord will hold husbands accountable to this ultimate standard — sacrificial love. 

In the world, leadership has to do with control and power over others. Jesus revealed the opposite. He had all power and yet became a servant of all (Philippians 2). When discussing Kingdom leadership, he contrasted the world and heaven. “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45).

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First, we must ensure our hearts belong to God alone. When fully committed to him, we can submit to his will in every circumstance with confidence. If not, our submission or resistance to authority will be based on our own desires instead of eternal, Kingdom purposes. We begin by regularly examining our motives, desires, and priorities. We ask ourselves whether our actions and thoughts reflect devotion to God, or are they influenced by the world or our selfishness?

Next, we pray for leaders, good and bad ones, whether in government, church, or family. God calls us to lift up those in authority, as their decisions impact many people (1 Timothy 2:1-2). In addition, God will hold them to a higher standard at the judgment. Through praying for these leaders, we acknowledge God’s ultimate control, and that he can guide their hearts and minds. We pray for wisdom, righteousness, and humility over them, even when we disagree with their decisions.

A life of godly submission reflects Jesus’ sacrificial service to all people. When we intentionally seek to meet the needs of those around us, we reflect Christ and the Gospel. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness or significant sacrifices, serving others with humility helps us submit to God’s will, showing his love to the world. God has made us free indeed, and we use our freedom in Christ to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).

Part of godly submission also includes leading others as Christ. At work, within the family, or with our children, we have opportunities to lead by serving. Servant leadership prioritizes the health and growth of others. When we lead by example, we reflect God’s sacrificial leadership.

Finally, we must remember to endure knowing the joy before us. We can be generous and sacrificial because God rewards us. Our godly submission leads to eternal rewards and a secure inheritance. By embracing his plan, he guarantees us the ultimate reward of an eternal life with him. As heirs with Christ, we inherit all he has prepared for those who love him. This includes not just spiritual blessings now but an imperishable inheritance in his Kingdom (1 Peter 1:4). 

Peace. 

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