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The Power And Beauty Of Submission Through Faith

May 07, 2006

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

SUBMISSION, n. The act of submitting; the act of yielding to power or authority; surrender of the person and power to the control or government of another. Obedience; compliance with the commands or laws of a superior. Resignation; a yielding of one's will to the will or appointment of a superior without murmuring.

SUBJECTION, n. The state of being under the power, control and government of another.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

hupotasso (Strong’s 5293), primarily a military term, to rank under (hupo, under, tasso, to arrange), denotes to put in subjection, to subject.

our first subjection is unto God

James 4:7 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.(ASV)

The church is subject unto Christ

Ephesians 5:24 “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ…”

Be also iN Subjection to human authorities

Romans 13:1 Let every soul (Christian’s) be subject unto the higher powers (“the governing authorities,” NKJ). For there is no power [or authority] but of God: the powers [or authorities] that be are ordained [or appointed] of God.

God is in control of who reigns!

Proverbs 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

The Lord is sovereign over all earthly authorities

Daniel 2:20-21 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.

To Rebel against authority is to rebel against God

Romans 13:2 Therefore whoever resists (“rebels against,” NIV) the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves (NKJ).

Obeying human authorities is “relative”

Acts 5:28-29 Saying, Did not we (religious authorities) straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

“Absolutely” Submit to their punishment

Daniel 3:17-18,20 If it be so, our God whom we (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 20 And he (the king) commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

employee’s be subject to your employers

1 Peter 2:18-20 Servants (employee’s), be subject to your masters (supervisor or boss over you in the work place) with all fear (of God v.17); not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward [crooked, unfair, perverted, or wicked]. 19 For this is thankworthy [or grace], if a man for conscience toward God (faith) endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory [or honor] is it, if, when ye be buffeted [or punished] for your faults [or sins], ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well (living righteously by faith), and suffer for it, ye take it patiently [or endure it], this is acceptable with [or grace from] God.

Titus 2:9 Servants are to be under the authority of their masters, pleasing them in all things, without argument (BBE).

Christ is our example of submission

1 Peter 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin (he suffered wrongfully, and without cause), neither was guile found in his mouth:(his words, as well as his actions, were all sincere, just, and right.) 23 Who, when he was reviled [insulted or abused – they mocked him and called him foul names], reviled not again [or he did not return it or retaliate]; when he suffered, he threatened not [“he did not threaten to get even,” NLT]; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously (“He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly” NLT).

Wives be in subjection to your own husbands

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing

Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord

Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed

1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives

1 Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands

The power and beauty of submission

1Peter 3:1-6 Likewise (refers back to what was taught in the master/slave relationship, in 1Pet.2), ye wives, be in subjection (present tense) to your own husbands; that, if any (Christian husband) obey not [present active indicative] the word, they also may without ~~the~~ a word (exhortations, arguing, debating, nagging from the wife) be won [or conquered] by the conversation [manner of life or conduct] of the wives (by a walk of submission); 2 While they (disobedient husbands) behold [view attentively] your chaste [pure, clean, free from carnality] conversation [manner of life or conduct] coupled with fear (of God 2:17). 3 Whose (ye wives) adorning (your beauty) let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But (instead) let it (your beauty) be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament (beauty) of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned (beautified) themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord (a lord is someone whom you obey): whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well (in subjection to your husband), and are not afraid with any amazement.

Wives Remember Queen Vashti

Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded… 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him. 17 "For the queen's behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.' 19 let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before KingAhasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20 "When the king's decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small."