Ephesians 5:22 begins the section traditionally called the “household code” (5:22–6:9), which addresses relationships between wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters. This particular verse builds directly on verse 21 — “submitting to one another in the fear of Christ” — and gives specific shape to how that mutual submission is expressed in marriage. Rather than grounding this command in culture, Paul roots it theologically: Christian wives are to submit to their own husbands as to the Lord.
Structural Analysis
Αἱ γυναῖκες
τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν ὑποτάσσεσθε
ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ
The sentence includes:
- Αἱ γυναῖκες – “wives,” the subject, in the nominative plural.
- τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν – “to their own husbands,” a dative of personal reference.
- ὑποτάσσεσθε – “submit yourselves,” either an imperative (according to some manuscript traditions) or an ellipsis carried over from verse 21.
- ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ – “as to the Lord,” expressing manner and theological grounding.
Semantic Nuances
ὑποτάσσεσθε is the present middle/passive imperative (or indicative, depending on manuscript tradition) of ὑποτάσσω, meaning “to place oneself under,” “to submit,” or “to subordinate oneself.” In the middle voice, it reflects voluntary submission — not external coercion. It implies alignment within an ordered relationship, not inferiority.
τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν contains the adjective ἴδιος, stressing that this submission is personal and covenantal — not to men in general, but to one’s own husband. The dative case is used here to indicate the one to whom the submission is directed.
ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ means “as to the Lord,” where ὡς introduces the comparison or motive. This phrase may imply:
- A comparison: submit to your husband in the same manner as to the Lord.
- A motivation: submit to your husband because you are doing it for the Lord.
Contextually, both readings are true, but the theological motivation seems dominant — submission is an act of devotion to Christ.
Syntactical Insight
Some manuscripts omit the verb ὑποτάσσεσθε in verse 22 and assume it from verse 21. This reflects a syntactical ellipsis common in Greek where parallel structures rely on previously stated verbs. However, most modern critical editions include ὑποτάσσεσθε in v. 22 for clarity.
The prepositional phrase ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ modifies ὑποτάσσεσθε and brings theological framing to what might otherwise be perceived as cultural or social advice. It ensures that submission is not grounded in patriarchy, but in discipleship.
Historical and Cultural Background
In Greco-Roman household codes (e.g., Aristotle’s Politics), wives were expected to be submissive to their husbands as a matter of social order. What Paul does here is adopt the form of such codes but redefines their content with Christian theology. Submission becomes an expression of faith and service to the Lord, not societal control.
Moreover, by addressing wives directly, Paul treats them as morally responsible individuals, a departure from contemporary pagan and Jewish norms which often addressed only men. This is already a sign of the radical equality found in the gospel.
Intertextuality
- Ephesians 5:21: “Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ” — the immediate backdrop.
- Colossians 3:18: “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
- 1 Peter 3:1: “Wives, be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if some disobey the word…”
Hermeneutical Reflection
Ephesians 5:22 calls wives to model the Church’s relationship to Christ — a relationship grounded in love, trust, and worship. Greek grammar reveals this as more than social structure: the middle voice ὑποτάσσεσθε reflects choice, not coercion. The phrase ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ centers the act of submission not on the husband’s worthiness, but on Christ’s lordship.
Submission as Devotion
In Paul’s hands, Greek syntax becomes theology: Ὑποτάσσεσθε — align yourselves; τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν — in covenantal intimacy; ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ — because your ultimate loyalty is to Christ. Ephesians 5:22 does not enslave; it sanctifies. The Church’s submission to Christ is never shameful, and the wife’s submission in marriage, when patterned after that, becomes an act of beauty and faith.
