All manner of interpretations abound, creating a fog of misunderstanding that puts stumbling blocks – some of which are quite dangerous – to obedience to this directive. In an attempt to let this verse shine with its Spirit-inspired brightness and remove such stumbling blocks, here are five statements clarifying what this verse does not mean.

Though the Scriptures are perspicuous, or clear, the human heart is not. For it is “more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9). Consequently, even the most direct and simple parts of the Bible, under the interpretation of men being guided by heart passions, can become confusing.

A case in point is the relatively straightforward command found in Ephesians 5:23, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” All manner of interpretations abound, creating a fog of misunderstanding that puts stumbling blocks – some of which are quite dangerous – to obedience to this directive. In an attempt to let this verse shine with its Spirit-inspired brightness and remove such stumbling blocks, here are five statements clarifying what this verse does not mean.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands” does not mean “All women are to submit to all men.”

In certain patriarchal circles, this imperative in Ephesians 5:23 is broadened, with appeals to the creation order and other texts such as 1 Timothy 2:8-15, to include all male and female relationships. Every woman is called to be submissive to every man in any given ecclesiastical and even societal context.

Yet Paul is addressing clearly the marital relationship by using the terms husbands and wives. Furthermore, note the possessive. “Wives, submit to your own husbands.” This command is specific to a woman’s unique marital relationship.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands” does not mean “Husbands, make your wives submit.”

The command here is directed to the wives, not the husbands. A husband is not to use this verse to force his wife’s submission. This verse does not give him the right to manipulate or try to guilt his wife. For the calling of the gospel itself to follow Christ is a Spirit-filled one, where the heart and will of a person are to be addressed persuasively so they freely desire to obey God. Similarly, a wife is to offer her submission freely, not under the forced coercion of her husband.

If a husband wants to encourage his wife in this direction, then he has a command of his own to that end in the same neighborhood of this verse. Paul gives it to him three times in the passage where this verse is found. Husbands are to love their wives like Christ loves the church, like they do their own bodies, and like they love themselves (Eph. 5:25, 28, 33). It is a rare case indeed when a Christian man is living this way and his wife does not respond with a willing submission.

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