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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/49_Eph_05_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 5:21 - Wives and Husbands" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ephesians/5-20.htm" title="Ephesians 5:20">◄</a> Ephesians 5:21 <a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm" title="Ephesians 5:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ephesians/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ephesians/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ephesians/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Be submitting yourselves to one another in reverence of Christ:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ephesians/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ephesians/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />submitting to one another in the fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ephesians/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ephesians/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ephesians/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ephesians/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and being subject to one another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ephesians/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ephesians/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ephesians/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />submitting to one another in the fear of Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ephesians/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ephesians/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Honor Christ and put others first. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ephesians/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ephesians/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Place yourselves under each other's authority out of respect for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ephesians/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ephesians/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and you will submit to one another out of reverence for the Messiah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ephesians/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ephesians/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ephesians/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ephesians/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ephesians/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ephesians/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Be submitting yourselves to one another in reverence of Christ:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ephesians/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ephesians/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Yielding obedience to one another in the fear of God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ephesians/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ephesians/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ephesians/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Submit yourselves one to another in the love of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Be subject to one another in the love of The Messiah.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/ephesians/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />being subject one to another in the fear of God.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/ephesians/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />being submissive to one another in the fear of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/ephesians/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />being subject one to another in the fear of God.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/ephesians/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Be mutually obsequious with christian respect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/ephesians/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/ephesians/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />submitting yourselves to each other in the fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ephesians/5-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=975" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm">Wives and Husbands</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5293.htm" title="5293: Hypotassomenoi (V-PPM/P-NMP) -- From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey.">Submit</a> <a href="/greek/240.htm" title="240: allēlois (RecPro-DMP) -- One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.">to one another</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">out of</a> <a href="/greek/5401.htm" title="5401: phobō (N-DMS) -- (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.">reverence</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">for Christ.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">22</span>Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-4</a></span><br />Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">1 Peter 5:5</a></span><br />Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18-19</a></span><br />Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-10.htm">Romans 12:10</a></span><br />Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-16.htm">1 Corinthians 16:16</a></span><br />to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17</a></span><br />Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-12.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:12-13</a></span><br />But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. / In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13</a></span><br />For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6-7</a></span><br />But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26-28</a></span><br />It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-14.htm">John 13:14-15</a></span><br />So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-25.htm">1 Corinthians 12:25</a></span><br />so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-8.htm">1 Peter 3:8</a></span><br />Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-2</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-1.htm">1 Timothy 5:1-2</a></span><br />Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, / older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.</p><p class="hdg">submitting.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Ephesians 5:22,24</a></b></br> Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-9.htm">Genesis 16:9</a></b></br> And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/29-24.htm">1 Chronicles 29:24</a></b></br> And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.</p><p class="hdg">in.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/19-7.htm">2 Chronicles 19:7</a></b></br> Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do <i>it</i>: for <i>there is</i> no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm">Nehemiah 5:9,15</a></b></br> Also I said, It <i>is</i> not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Proverbs 24:21</a></b></br> My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: <i>and</i> meddle not with them that are given to change:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ephesians/5-20.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-12.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/acts/27-15.htm">Letting</a> <a href="/acts/17-23.htm">Reverence</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-16.htm">Ruled</a> <a href="/galatians/5-18.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-18.htm">Subjecting</a> <a href="/galatians/2-5.htm">Submit</a> <a href="/psalms/68-30.htm">Submitting</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/5-23.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-33.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/39-13.htm">Letting</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-33.htm">Reverence</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-7.htm">Ruled</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-8.htm">Subjecting</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Submit</a> <a href="/psalms/68-30.htm">Submitting</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-1.htm">After general exhortations to love;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">to flee sexual immorality;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">and all uncleanness;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-7.htm">not to converse with the wicked;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-15.htm">to walk carefully;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">and to be filled with the Spirit;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">and husbands ought to love their wives,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/5-32.htm">even as Christ does his church.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ephesians/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Submit to one another</b><br>This phrase emphasizes mutual submission among believers, a concept that was counter-cultural in the Greco-Roman world, where hierarchical structures were prevalent. The idea of mutual submission is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified servanthood (<a href="/john/13-14.htm">John 13:14-15</a>). It reflects the unity and equality found in the body of Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>). This submission is not about subjugation but about serving one another in love, as seen in <a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-4</a>, where believers are encouraged to consider others more significant than themselves.<p><b>out of reverence for Christ</b><br>The motivation for submission is not fear or obligation but reverence for Christ. This reverence, or deep respect, is a response to Christ's sacrificial love and lordship. It aligns with the call to live a life worthy of the calling received (<a href="/ephesians/4.htm">Ephesians 4:1</a>). Reverence for Christ is a recurring theme in the New Testament, urging believers to live in a manner that honors Him (<a href="/colossians/3-17.htm">Colossians 3:17</a>). This phrase also connects to the concept of fearing the Lord, which in biblical terms means having a profound respect and awe for God, leading to obedience and worship (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a></b><br>A major city in Asia Minor, Ephesus was a center of commerce and culture. The Ephesian church was one of the early Christian communities to which Paul wrote.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ephesian_church.htm">The Ephesian Church</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, this early Christian community faced challenges of unity and living out their faith in a diverse and often hostile environment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_submission.htm">Understanding Submission</a></b><br>The Greek word for "submit" (hypotass?) implies a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, and carrying a burden. It is not about coercion but about a willing choice to serve others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_christ.htm">Reverence for Christ</a></b><br>Our submission to one another is motivated by our reverence for Christ. This reverence is rooted in recognizing His authority and love, which transforms our relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mutual_submission_in_community.htm">Mutual Submission in Community</a></b><br>In a Christian community, mutual submission fosters unity and love. It is a practical expression of the body of Christ working together harmoniously.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_humility.htm">Role of Humility</a></b><br>Humility is essential for submission. By valuing others and their needs, we reflect Christ's humility and love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_living.htm">Practical Living</a></b><br>Applying this verse means actively seeking ways to serve others in our daily lives, whether in family, church, or work settings.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.</span>--In grammatical construction this clause is connected with the preceding verses; in point of idea it leads on to the next section, which treats of the three-fold submission of wives to husbands, children to parents, slaves to masters. There is, however, a certain connection of idea with the preceding section also, and especially with the encouragement of a Christian enthusiasm in the last clause. The strong and frequent emphasis laid in the New Testament on subjection, whether (as in <a href="/context/romans/13-1.htm" title="Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.">Romans 13:1-7</a>; <a href="/context/1_peter/2-13.htm" title="Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;">1Peter 2:13-17</a>) to the civil powers, or (as here, in <a href="/colossians/3-18.htm" title=" Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.">Colossians 3:18</a> to <a href="/colossians/4-1.htm" title=" Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.">Colossians 4:1</a>, and <a href="/1_peter/2-18.htm" title="Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the fraudulent.">1Peter 2:18</a> to <a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm" title="Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.">1Peter 3:7</a>) to domestic authority, or (as in <a href="/context/1_thessalonians/5-12.htm" title="And we beseech you, brothers, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;">1Thessalonians 5:12-13</a>; <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-6.htm" title="Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.">2Thessalonians 3:6</a>; <a href="/context/2_thessalonians/3-14.htm" title="And if any man obey not our word by this letter, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.">2Thessalonians 3:14-15</a>) to ecclesiastical authority, probably indicates some tendency, in the first exuberance of Christian liberty and enthusiasm, to disregard the wholesome restraints, laws, and conventions of outward life. Hence St. Paul's general caution here, prefatory to the more detailed teaching of subjection which follows. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.</span> The last of the participial exhortations depending on the general exhortation of ver. 15 to walk strictly, Most commentators connect it with the three immediately preceding participles (speaking, singing, giving thanks), but are unable to find a link of connection. Better connect with ver. 15. Mutual subjection is part of a wise, circumspect <span class="accented">walk</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> mutual recognition of each other's rights and of our obligations to serve them. In some sense we are all servants, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> we are bound to serve others; the very father is, in this sense, servant of his child. So in the Christian Church we are all in a sense servants ("By love serve one another," <a href="/galatians/5-15.htm">Galatians 5:15</a>; comp. <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26-28</a>; <a href="/john/13-15.htm">John 13:15, 16</a>). This view is in harmony with the <span class="accented">humble</span> spirit of the gospel. Pride leads us to demand rigorously from others what we fancy they owe to us; humility, to give to others what Christ teaches that we owe to them. The one feeling is to be discouraged, the other exercised and strengthened. In the verses following we have this precept split up into its constituent filaments. The reading of R.V., "in the fear of Christ," has more authority than A.V., "in the fear of God." It brings to our mind the wonderful example of Christ in this clement of character (comp. <a href="/luke/2-51.htm">Luke 2:51</a>; <a href="/hebrews/5-8.htm">Hebrews 5:8</a>). Reverential regard for him should inspire us with the same spirit (<a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ephesians/5-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Submit</span><br /><span class="grk">Ὑποτασσόμενοι</span> <span class="translit">(Hypotassomenoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5293.htm">Strong's 5293: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to one another</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλλήλοις</span> <span class="translit">(allēlois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_240.htm">Strong's 240: </a> </span><span class="str2">One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">out of</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reverence</span><br /><span class="grk">φόβῳ</span> <span class="translit">(phobō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5401.htm">Strong's 5401: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for Christ.</span><br /><span class="grk">Χριστοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(Christou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ephesians/5-21.htm">Ephesians 5:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ephesians/5-21.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 5:21 Subjecting yourselves one to another (Ephes. Eph. Ep) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ephesians/5-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ephesians 5:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ephesians 5:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ephesians 5:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ephesians 5:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>