Ephesians 5:22-33 — Biblical Marriage: Part 2

Ephesians 5:22-33 — Biblical Marriage: Headship and Submission

The basis for Biblical Marriage is the Imago Dei, that the man and the woman are created in the image of God. The man and the woman are equal in value, dignity, and worth.  Nevertheless, the man and the woman have unique and distinct roles in Biblical Marriage. While the man's role is assuming authority, loving sacrificially, taking initiative, and having responsibility, the woman's role is to submit (yield) to the man's leadership, stand by his side, express gratitude for his sacrifice, and be responsive to the needs of her family.

The man's authority in the marriage flows from his submission to the Lord Jesus who has all authority in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:10; Matthew 28:18). Consequently, if the man is not under the authority of Christ, he does not have the authority to rule his home. The Christian husband is not a despot who wields absolute power over his unquestioning subjects. Like Christ, he loves sacrificially and leads selflessly. This makes it easier for the woman to follow his lead. This yielding to the man's headship is what Scripture refers to by submission (Ephesians 5:22; cf. Colossians 3:18, 1 Peter 3:1).

In short, the man's role is to submit to Christ while the woman's role is to submit to her husband (v. 22; cf. 1 Cor 11:3).