EPHESIANS: Submission
EPHESIANS Number 59
Ephesians 5:21 (KJV 1900)
21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Verse 21 is part of the discourse on the will of God expressed in the preceding verses. Submission to others is central to the very concept of divine (agape’) Love—God’s Love.
Agape’ Love is self-giving Love, sacrificial Love.
It is the Love spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13.
It is the Love of which it is said, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore Love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:10)
It is the way God Loved the world spoken of in John 3:16.
It is the Love Jesus described in John 15:13 (KJV) where He said, “Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
It is the Love found in Mark 10:45 (KJV) where Jesus said, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto [to be served], but to minister [to serve], and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Paul too spoke of this. Philippians 2:3–8 describes the attitude of submission to which we are called, saying, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (KJV 1900)
Love is not focused on self. Love is focused on others. There is no love without there being an object of that Love. Someone to whom Love is directed. Another someone, the best interests of whom are the desire of our own heart.
God demonstrated His love by reaching down to us in reconciliation before we ever made any movement toward Him. He came as one of us. He served us and suffered on our behalf. He submitted Himself to us and here in Ephesians He calls us to submit to one another. Not because He loves slavery or because He wished some of us to be abused by others, or because some are valued more highly by Him, but because submitting ourselves to one another is what is best for us. It is the way to unity, peace, and joy. It is Love made perfect.
Our text says that we are to do this “in the fear of God.” The way the word fear is used here speaks of reverence. (BDAG page 1062 2b) We submit to one another in this way because we have great reverent respect for our Father. We trust His character. We trust that He is good, that He is Loving, and that He is for us; always. When we know Father well, He becomes our role model. Energized by the dynamo of the Spirit of God within us, we find ourselves drawn to emulating Him.
