Conference Notes

Our topic of submission starts with Ephesians 5:21, which is really the key to the whole subject: "submitting to one another in the fear of God." This verse sets the tone for everything that follows. It is a mutual attitude of deference that flows from reverence for Christ. This is not a matter of one person dominating another, but of each believer willingly placing the interests of others above their own.

The apostle Paul begins with the relationship between husband and wife. In Ephesians 5:22, wives are asked to submit to their own husbands "as to the Lord." This is not a cultural relic but a spiritual principle. The wife's submission is compared to the Church's submission to Christ. It is voluntary, intelligent, and motivated by love. It is not a lesser role but a different function within the divine order.

At the same time, the husband is given the highest possible standard: "love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). The husband's headship is not one of authority imposed but of sacrificial love expressed. Christ gave Himself completely for the Church, and husbands are called to that same selfless devotion. When a husband loves in this way, submission becomes a natural and willing response.

Colossians 3:18-19 repeats these instructions in a more concise form. Wives are to submit "as is fitting in the Lord," and husbands are to love their wives and not be bitter toward them. The word "bitter" is significant. Bitterness can creep into a marriage when expectations are unmet, and it will poison the relationship. The antidote is the love of Christ, which is patient and forgiving.

Peter adds another dimension in 1 Peter 3:1-2. Here, the wife's submission has an evangelistic purpose: a husband who does not obey the Word may be "won without a word" by the conduct of his wife. This is remarkable. The power of a godly life, lived in quiet submission, can be more persuasive than any argument. Peter emphasizes the "hidden person of the heart" with a gentle and quiet spirit, which is "very precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:4).

Peter also instructs husbands to dwell with their wives "with understanding" (1 Peter 3:7). The husband is to be considerate and thoughtful, giving honor to the wife as the weaker vessel and as a fellow heir of the grace of life. If this is neglected, even the husband's prayers may be hindered. The marriage relationship is thus closely tied to one's spiritual life.

In Ephesians 6:1-4, the subject turns to children and parents. Children are to obey their parents "in the Lord, for this is right." This is the first commandment with a promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." Obedience in children is a form of submission that trains the heart for a lifetime of walking with God.

Fathers, in turn, are not to provoke their children to anger but are to bring them up "in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Colossians 3:21 adds that fathers should not discourage their children. A father who is harsh or unreasonable may produce outward compliance but inward resentment. The goal is to nurture children in an atmosphere of grace and truth, reflecting the way our heavenly Father deals with us.

The Lord Jesus Himself is the perfect example of submission within the family. As a child, He was subject to Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51). He who was the Creator of all things willingly placed Himself under the authority of an earthly household. If the Son of God submitted in this way, how much more should we embrace this calling?

In all of these relationships, the common thread is that submission is motivated by our relationship with the Lord. We submit "as to the Lord," "as is fitting in the Lord," "in the Lord." When we lose sight of Christ, submission becomes burdensome. But when we keep our eyes on Him, it becomes an act of worship. We find joy and spiritual blessing in every family relationship as we keep our eyes on Him.

We next consider the Christian's relationship with governments and authorities in the world. Peter writes, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake" (1 Peter 2:13). This is a remarkable statement when we remember the political context in which Peter wrote. The Roman Empire was often hostile to Christians, yet the apostle instructs believers to submit to its governing structures.

The reason given is "for the Lord's sake." Our submission to earthly authority is ultimately an expression of our submission to God. Paul teaches the same principle in Romans 13:1: "There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." This does not mean that every government official is godly, but that the institution of government itself is part of God's order for human society.

Peter specifies submission to the king as supreme and also to governors who are sent for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do good (1 Peter 2:13-14). The purpose of government, from God's perspective, is to maintain order and justice. When believers are law-abiding and conscientious citizens, they "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (2:15). Our good conduct becomes a testimony.

At the same time, Peter is careful to note that our freedom in Christ is not a "cloak for vice" (2:16). Christian liberty does not mean we are free to disregard civil law. Rather, we are "bondservants of God." Our true allegiance is to Him, and it is precisely because of that allegiance that we submit to human institutions as well.

Peter then summarizes the believer's posture in 2:17: "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." These four brief commands capture the balance of the Christian life in society. We treat every person with dignity; we have a special love for fellow believers; we maintain a reverent fear of God; and we respect those in authority.

The subject of servants and masters is closely related to this. In Ephesians 6:5-8, servants are told to obey their earthly masters "with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ." Once again, the key phrase is "as to Christ." The quality of a Christian's work is determined not by the worthiness of the employer but by the worthiness of the Lord whom we truly serve.

Paul adds that this service should be rendered "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6). There is a difference between working to impress people and working out of genuine devotion to the Lord. The Christian worker has a higher motivation: "knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord" (6:8).

Colossians 3:22-24 develops this further. Servants are to obey "in all things," not just when being watched. They are to work "heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." The reward is the inheritance from the Lord. This transforms even the most menial task into an act of worship. There is no work too lowly when it is done for Christ.

Masters, too, have responsibilities. Ephesians 6:9 tells them to treat their servants in the same way, "giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him." Colossians 4:1 adds that masters are to give what is "just and fair." The Christian employer stands under the authority of a heavenly Master and will give account for how he treats those under his care.

In 1 Peter 2:18-20, servants are told to submit even to harsh masters. If a believer suffers unjustly and bears it patiently, "this is commendable before God." This is a difficult teaching, but it reflects the character of Christ Himself, who suffered unjustly without retaliating. Submission in the world does not guarantee fair treatment; but it does honor God and set a powerful example.

There are, of course, limits to submission. When human authority directly contradicts the command of God, we must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). The apostles themselves demonstrated this when they were ordered to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. But even in that case, their disobedience to human authority was respectful and non-violent.

The overarching lesson in all of these passages is that the Christian's life in the world is a testimony. Whether in government, in the workplace, or in society at large, our submissive and God-honoring conduct speaks volumes. We do not submit because the world deserves it, but because Christ is worthy. And when we live with that perspective, we can do what honors Him.

Submission to God could have been the first subject of these studies, because it is the foundation of all other forms of submission. If we are not submitted to God, we will struggle to submit to anyone else. James 4:7 states it plainly: "Submit to God." There is no qualification, no condition. It is a direct command, and it is the starting point for spiritual victory.

James continues, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (4:7). Notice the order: submission to God comes first, then resistance to the enemy. We cannot effectively resist temptation or spiritual attack in our own strength. It is only as we are submitted to God that we have the resources to stand firm. The enemy has no answer for a believer who is walking in humble dependence on the Lord.

The context in James 4 is important. The preceding verses speak of conflicts and quarrels among believers that arise from selfish desires (4:1-3). The solution is not self-assertion but self-humbling. When we submit to God, we acknowledge that His will is better than our own. We stop grasping for what we want and begin to trust Him with the outcome.

James 4:8-10 gives a series of practical steps for drawing near to God: cleansing our hands, purifying our hearts, lamenting over our sin, and humbling ourselves before the Lord. The promise is that "He will lift you up." This is the pattern throughout Scripture: God exalts the humble and resists the proud. Submission is the posture that invites God's favor.

Peter takes up the same theme in 1 Peter 5:5-6: "Be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." The image of being "clothed" with humility suggests that it should be visible and recognizable. It is the garment that adorns the Christian life.

Peter then adds the wonderful invitation of 5:7: "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." Submission to God is not a grim resignation but a confident trust. We can cast our anxieties on Him because He genuinely cares about every detail of our lives. Humility and trust go hand in hand: the humble heart is the trusting heart.

The supreme example of submission to God is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In 1 Peter 2:21-23, we read that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example to follow in His steps. "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." Christ's submission was absolute and unwavering, even unto death.

What gave Christ the strength to endure such suffering without retaliation? He "committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." He entrusted Himself entirely to the Father, confident that God's judgment is always right. When we face unjust treatment, we can follow the same pattern: entrust ourselves to God and leave the outcome to Him.

In 1 Corinthians 16:15-16, Paul commends the household of Stephanas, who "devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints." He urges the Corinthians to "submit to such" people and to everyone who works and labors with them. Here we see that submission has a horizontal dimension as well. We submit not only to God directly but also to those whom God uses in our lives, especially those who serve sacrificially.

This passage reveals something beautiful about the nature of spiritual leadership. Those who are worthy of submission are those who have first submitted themselves to serving others. Stephanas and his household did not demand respect; they earned it by their devotion. In the same way, our submission to God will naturally lead us to serve others, and our service will inspire others to walk in the same spirit of submission.

Submission to God ultimately transforms every area of life. It is not a single act but an ongoing posture of the heart. It affects how we relate to our families, how we conduct ourselves in the world, and how we serve within the Church. The submissive believer is not weak but strong, for they draw their strength from the Almighty. The Lord is looking for men and women who have that type of character.