Submitting

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” – Ephesians 5:21

“Submitting yourselves one to another.” Maintaining due subordination in the various relations of life. This general principle of religion the apostle proceeds now to illustrate in reference to wives, (Eph 5:22-24); to children, (Eph 6:1-3); and to servants, (Eph 6:5-8). At the same time that he enforces this duty of submission, however, he enjoins on others to use their authority in a proper manner, and gives solemn injunctions that there should be no abuse of power. Particularly he enjoins on husbands the duty of loving their wives with all tenderness, (Eph 5:25-33); on fathers, the duty of treating their children so that they might easily obey them, (Eph 6:4); and on masters, the duty of treating their servants with kindness, remembering that they have a Master also in heaven, (Eph 6:9). The general meaning here is, that Christianity does not break up the relations of life, and produce disorder, lawlessness, and insubordination; but that it will confirm every proper authority, and make every just yoke lighter. Infidelity is always disorganizing; Christianity never.

– Albert Barnes, Barnes Notes on the New Testament