Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Read it in contextInstructions for Christian Households (Marriage)
Start reading at Ephesians 5:21 (Ephesians 5:21 to Ephesians 5:33).
This verse is part of a larger section on Christian household relationships, which begins with the general call to mutual submission and then specifies roles within marriage.
5:21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
5:22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
5:23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
5:24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
5:25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
5:26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
5:27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
5:28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
5:29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
5:30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
5:31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
5:32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
5:33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Paul the apostle is the named author. Pauline authorship is the traditional position, though some historical scholars dispute it. Biblical references: Ephesians 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ephesians 4:1–5:33): Paul instructs the believers about unity and conduct, then speaks particularly to wives and husbands. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The saints and faithful in Christ Jesus, addressed as being at Ephesus in the KJV. Some early manuscripts omit the location, so wider circulation is possible. The letter expressly addresses believers of Gentile background. Biblical references: Ephesians 1:1; Ephesians 2:11. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the instruction for wives to submit to their own husbands, mirroring the church's submission to Christ. This is part of a larger section on Christian conduct within the household, following general exhortations to walk in love, light, and wisdom, and to be filled with the Spirit.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the divine order within marriage, establishing the husband as the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church. He reveals that a wife's submission to her husband is to be understood and performed 'as unto the Lord,' implying a spiritual dimension and a willing obedience rooted in reverence for Christ.
What is the literary style? Epistle, specifically a didactic (teaching) section within the letter.
When
When was it written? Circa A.D. 60 to 62. book background
When does the event take place? The instruction is given for the ongoing conduct of Christian wives within their marriages, applicable throughout the Christian era. The writing itself occurred during Paul's imprisonment. book background
Where
Where did it happen? The instructions are for Christian households wherever they exist. The letter was sent to the church at Ephesus.
Where was the author located? Rome, while in prison. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Instructions for Christian Households (Marriage) (Ephesians 5:21 to Ephesians 5:33).
Start reading at Ephesians 5:21. This verse is part of a larger section on Christian household relationships, which begins with the general call to mutual submission and then specifies roles within marriage.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Ephesians 5:22 is the first specific application of the general principle of 'Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God' (Ephesians 5:21). It initiates the 'household code' section, which provides specific instructions for wives, husbands, children, and servants, demonstrating how the Spirit-filled life (Ephesians 5:18-20) manifests in various relationships. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This verse explicitly points to Christ by stating that wives are to submit to their husbands 'as unto the Lord.' The subsequent verses further elaborate on this, explaining that 'the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church' (Ephesians 5:23), and that the church's subjection to Christ serves as the model for wives' subjection to their husbands (Ephesians 5:24). This establishes Christ's headship over the church as the ultimate pattern for marital relationships. stated in the text
How do I apply it today? Today, Christian wives are called to willingly submit to their own husbands, understanding this submission as an act of reverence and obedience to the Lord. This is not a submission of inferiority, but a recognition of the husband's headship within the marriage, patterned after Christ's headship over the church, and is to be lived out in the context of mutual love and respect within the Spirit-filled life.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Ephesians 5
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Paul addresses saints and faithful people in Christ Jesus. The letter describes God's purpose in Christ and a people brought together in Him, then calls those readers to walk worthy of that calling rather than treating their identity as permission for disobedience.
Connection to the wholePaul grounds loving conduct in Christ's self-giving while warning that sexual immorality and covetousness are incompatible with inheritance in the kingdom.
Connection to the wholePaul applies the preceding appeal to marriage, using Christ's love for the church to define the husband's self-giving responsibility.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Ephesians
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Paul addresses saints and faithful people in Christ Jesus. The letter describes God's purpose in Christ and a people brought together in Him, then calls those readers to walk worthy of that calling rather than treating their identity as permission for disobedience.
Connection to the wholePaul blesses God for spiritual blessings in Christ and prays that the readers understand their hope, inheritance, and the power displayed in Christ.
Connection to the wholePaul describes salvation by grace and the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles in one body, then explains his ministry and prays for the church.
Connection to the wholePaul applies the new life to speech, desires, worship, households, and work, repeatedly grounding conduct in belonging to the Lord.
Connection to the wholeThe closing exhortation calls the readers to stand in God's strength and armour, joining vigilance with prayer and mutual encouragement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.