The New Testament directly says that wives should submit to their husbands (Eph. 5:22–24; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:1), but these words cannot be read separately: they are preceded by a call for all believers to submit to one another (Eph. 5:21); husbands are commanded to love sacrificially, following Christ’s example (Eph. 5:25–33; Col. 3:19; 1 Pet. 3:7); and spouses have mutual rights (1 Cor. 7:3–5). Christians understand the boundaries and form of submission in different ways.
What the Bible Says About This
- Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord; the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church (Eph. 5:22–24); the same is stated in Col. 3:18 and 1 Pet. 3:1.
- Before this, all believers are told to submit to one another in the fear of God (Eph. 5:21).
- Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her (Eph. 5:25–33); not to be bitter toward them (Col. 3:19); and to treat them with understanding (1 Pet. 3:7).
- In marriage, authority over the body is mutual (1 Cor. 7:3–5).
- The apostles declared that we must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29); this was not said about marriage, but it shows the boundary of all obedience.
- Conclusion: the submission Scripture speaks of does not mean unconditionally complying with every demand of a husband; it is limited by obedience to God and accompanied by the husband’s duty to love and sacrifice himself. These texts do not justify violence, coercion, or abuse; in such situations, protection and help are needed.
- Interpretations differ regarding what “head” means and what the boundaries and form of submission in the family are.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; Scripture texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
6 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Ephesians 5:21–24
21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord, 23 because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the Church submits to Christ, so let wives submit to their husbands in everything.
Ephesians 5:25–33
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the spoken word; 27 that He might present her to Himself as a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the Church, 30 because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery; I speak concerning Christ and the Church. 33 Nevertheless, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife respect her husband.
Colossians 3:18–19
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
1 Peter 3:1–7
1 Likewise, wives, submit to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your pure and reverent conduct. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold jewelry, or fine clothing—4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For this is how the holy women who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves, submitting to their own husbands. 6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You are her children if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, honoring them as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
1 Corinthians 7:3–5
3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does; likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to [[fasting and]] prayer. Then afterward come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than people.”
