Ephesians Part 31
When we are led by God’s Spirit, submission becomes part of our character. Mutual submission produces peace, which is itself a fruit of the Spirit. Peace is the natural result of people who have learned to yield—not from weakness, but from strength guided by love.
Paul reminds believers to live with careful intention and gratitude, “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:20-21). To walk circumspectly is to walk carefully, intentionally and thoughtfully. It is to live with spiritual awareness, understanding that every step we take is seen by God and has eternal weight.
Submission to one another, Paul explains, is a defining feature of this careful walk. It is a counter-intuitive building block of all healthy and godly relationships. True submission requires humility, patience and a willingness to put others first. It stands in direct opposition to anger, bitterness, bickering and slander, which fracture relationships and destroy peace. Submission, on the other hand, cultivates unity. It is both a fruit and a sign of the Spirit’s transforming power in the believer’s life.
When we are led by God’s Spirit, submission becomes part of our character. Mutual submission produces peace, which is itself a fruit of the Spirit. Paul already called believers to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3). Peace is the natural result of people who have learned to yield—not from weakness, but from strength guided by love.
As we align ourselves with Christ’s leadership and learn to work together within His Body, peace becomes the result. John Stott observed, “What is the point of peace in the church, if there is not peace in the home?” Indeed, our faith must manifest in our closest relationships. Our relationship with God is not isolated or private; it deeply affects how we relate to others. Submission is not a popular concept in the world because it opposes human pride and self-assertion, yet it is essential for the health of every relationship.
This principle applies in all settings—husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees. These are the most tangible human relationships we experience, and every person engages in them in some form. Satan has worked tirelessly to distort these bonds, sowing division and isolating people from one another. Society celebrates independence and hierarchy and ranks people as higher or lower, stronger or weaker, while Christ teaches us to serve and esteem others above ourselves.
With this understanding, the call to submit becomes not a burden but a reflection of God’s love and order. In places where Christianity has taken root, we see the ascension of human dignity: women honored as co-heirs with Christ, children valued as gifts rather than property, and people of all races welcomed as one family under God. True submission, rightly understood, leads to freedom, respect and unity.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes that the Greek verb hypotassō—“to submit”—denotes voluntary subordination to those worthy of respect, whether because of their character or their role. Christians are called to submit to civil authorities, church leaders, parents and employers, because God’s order for society depends on mutual respect. Without it, chaos reigns. Yet believers submit not out of fear or coercion, but out of reverence for Christ. Within the Body of Christ, this submission is reciprocal. No one coerces another; each person willingly accepts discipline and respect for the sake of peace. Pride and superiority have no place in such a fellowship.
Submission also extends to authority in society. Romans 13:1 teaches that “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” We are to respect the law, pay taxes and honor those in leadership. However, when human authority demands what violates divine law, our allegiance remains with God. The apostles modeled this in Acts 5:29, saying, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Their faith led them to suffer persecution, yet they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to bear Christ’s name.
Submission is about our relationship with God and the purpose He is working out in our lives. It is an act of faith, not of weakness. Even when authority seems unjust, the believer entrusts the outcome to God, knowing that He is sovereign over all things. Christ Himself submitted to the unjust crucifixion because He trusted the Father’s plan. In the same way, biblical submission means respecting divinely appointed authority out of reverence for Christ, not merely because of the character of those in charge.
This principle mirrors the heart of the Beatitudes. To be poor in spirit is to recognize the worth of others. To esteem others better than oneself is to walk as Christ walked. To forgive as He forgave is to bear the image of God in human form. The opposite of submission is pride, which comes naturally to our carnal nature. Scripture warns that in the last days, men will be “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” (2 Timothy 3:1–2). Our culture celebrates pride while humility is often despised, yet it is humility that draws the grace of God.
James 4:6–7, 10 gives us the remedy:
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you . . . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
These commands must be given because humility and submission are not natural to human nature, yet they are vital to spiritual transformation.
As we yield to God’s Spirit, we begin to reflect His nature. Pride fades, submission grows and we become more like Him. This transformation touches every relationship—personal, family, church and community. Through mutual submission, peace is restored, humility is strengthened and love is perfected. In doing so, we fulfill our calling to “be like Him” (1 John 3:2).
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
