top of page
Search

True Biblical Submission: Embracing God’s Design for Marriage

  • snscoon6
  • May 30, 2024
  • 5 min read

In a world where submission is often misunderstood and misrepresented, it’s crucial to return to the Bible to understand what true biblical submission in marriage looks like. Biblical submission is not about oppression or inequality; it's about love, respect, and mutual devotion to God’s design. This post will explore the beauty and balance of a marriage where the husband leads biblically, and the wife submits biblically, fostering an environment of love, acceptance, and joy. We’ll also delve into the power of praying scripturally for your spouse.


Understanding Biblical Submission

Ephesians 5:22-33 provides a foundational scripture for understanding biblical submission and leadership in marriage:

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Here, Paul outlines a relationship based on mutual respect and sacrificial love. The wife’s submission is modeled after the church’s submission to Christ, and the husband’s leadership is modeled after Christ’s sacrificial love for the church.

The Husband’s Role: Leading Biblically

  1. Loving Leadership

  • Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

  • A husband’s leadership is characterized by sacrificial love. He prioritizes his wife’s well-being, spiritual growth, and happiness, mirroring Christ’s selfless love.

  1. Servant Leadership

  • Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

  • A biblical leader serves his family, putting their needs above his own. His leadership is not domineering but gentle and caring.

  1. Spiritual Leadership

  • 1 Corinthians 11:3: “But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”

  • A husband leads his family spiritually, encouraging prayer, Bible study, and worship, ensuring that Christ is at the center of the home.

The Wife’s Role: Submitting Biblically

  1. Respectful Submission

  • Ephesians 5:22-24: “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”

  • Submission is a voluntary act of respect and support for her husband’s leadership. It’s about trusting God’s order and honoring her husband’s role.

  1. Supportive Partnership

  • Proverbs 31:11-12: “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

  • A biblically submissive wife is a supportive partner, working alongside her husband to build a strong, loving, and God-centered marriage.

  1. Inner Beauty

  • 1 Peter 3:1-4: “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands… Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

  • True biblical submission involves cultivating inner beauty, characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit, reflecting God’s grace. Notice it says a gentle and quiet spirit, not necessarily personality. I'm not exactly a quiet person so for a long time I thought I was always out of line. Then I did a deeper study into these words. A gentle spirit is one that isn't offensive simply to offend. I offend people a lot simply because I stand on the word of God. I don't live life trying to find someone I can offend and hurt their feelings. A quiet spirit is one that is not offended. You need to get yourself to the point where you are unoffendable.


The Fruit of a Biblically Balanced Marriage

When a husband leads biblically and a wife submits biblically, their marriage reflects Christ’s relationship with the church. This dynamic creates a foundation of love, trust, and mutual respect, leading to:

  1. Deeper Intimacy

  • Genesis 2:24: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

  • A marriage grounded in biblical principles fosters deep emotional and spiritual intimacy, uniting husband and wife as one.

  1. Joy and Peace

  • Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

  • Couples experience true joy and peace as they trust in God’s design for their relationship, knowing they are following His will.

  1. Mutual Growth

  • Colossians 3:16: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.”

  • Both husband and wife grow spiritually as they encourage and support each other, creating a strong, God-centered family.


Praying Scripturally for Your Spouse

Prayer is a powerful tool for nurturing and strengthening your marriage. Here are some scriptural prayers to pray for your spouse:

  1. For Wisdom and Guidance

  • Prayer for Your Husband: “Lord, grant [his name] wisdom and guidance in all his decisions.” (James 1:5, Proverbs 3:5-6)

  • Prayer for Your Wife: “Lord, grant [her name] wisdom and guidance in all her decisions.” (James 1:5, Proverbs 3:5-6)

  1. For Strength and Courage

  • Prayer for Your Husband: “Father, give [his name] the strength and courage he needs each day.” (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 40:31)

  • Prayer for Your Wife: “Father, give [her name] the strength and courage she needs each day.” (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 40:31)

  1. For Peace and Rest

  • Prayer for Your Husband: “Lord, fill [his name] with Your peace and provide him with restful sleep.” (Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 11:28-30)

  • Prayer for Your Wife: “Lord, fill [her name] with Your peace and provide her with restful sleep.” (Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 11:28-30)

  1. For Spiritual Growth

  • Prayer for Your Husband: “Help [his name] grow in his faith and draw closer to You.” (Colossians 1:9-10, 2 Peter 3:18)

  • Prayer for Your Wife: “Help [her name] grow in her faith and draw closer to You.” (Colossians 1:9-10, 2 Peter 3:18)

  1. For Love and Kindness

  • Prayer for Your Husband: “May [his name] be filled with love and kindness in all his interactions.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Galatians 5:22-23)

  • Prayer for Your Wife: “May [her name] be filled with love and kindness in all her interactions.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Galatians 5:22-23)

By praying these scriptural prayers daily, you invite God’s presence and guidance into your marriage, nurturing a relationship that honors Him and strengthens your bond.


If you haven't already downloaded my 30 days of praying for your spouse, why not???

You can grab them here:











 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

bottom of page