1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey/believe (are persuaded about) the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your pure/sacred/sinless conduct with respect/fear
3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a meek and tranquil spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who hoped/trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any alarm.
AMP 3 When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband
I. Submission is willingly yielding our rights and preferences for the goal of God-glorifying unity (Line up under authority)
Lk 1:38 Behold the maidservant of the Lord; Let it be to me acc to your word Acts 5:29 "We ought to obey God rather than men” (cf 4:19)
II. Lack of Submission opens us up to Demonic Attack (Independence is the essence of sin) Js 4:7 Submit…Resist…flee
III. We Submit to: 1) God, 2) Government, 3) Parents, 4) Spiritual Leaders, 5) Employers, 6) One Another, 7) Husbands
IV. Submission is: 1) Christlike; 2) designed by God for our benefit; 3) in the grey areas
V. Submission requires TRUST that God is: Good, Sovereign, Almighty, Wise, Just Judge, and a Rewarder (fear Heb 11:6)
VI. Submission requires: 1) Yieldedness to God and embracing of His will, 2) Intelligence 3) Humility: a) transparency=willingness to be seen as I am with nothing to hide; b) good self-image=lack of the need to validate or prove my worth via the temporal; c) flexibility =writing our own agenda in pencil; d) preferring and honoring others=having affirmation from God so I can pass some along to others.
Phil 2:3 do nothing through ambition or self-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others superior/higher/more important than themselves.
A. Our Ability to Submit to others in a reflection of our Submission to God Heb 12:9 father corrected…reverence
Rm 8:7 the carnal/fleshly mind is hostile against God: for it is not subject/submitted to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
B. Submission to God (and others) requires knowing and trusting God for protection and what’s best when it’s best. Rm 10:3
Lk 9:23 If any will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 save…lose, lose…save
C. Submission requires fear of the Lord (an awareness that the God who judges is watching and remembering everything we think do and say)
Submission requires death to our agenda and ambitions at the core of our being “Not My will by Thy will”
1. Joyful winsome gain from embracing/serving agenda of God/another (joy comes from choosing what’s best, which God gives when it’s best) 1Cor 9:19 Though I am free…make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
Phil 3:8 I consider everything a loss compared to… for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them dung, that I may gain
2. Without a word (nagging). Ac 8:32 led as a sheep to slaughter; as a lamb silent…so He opened not His mouth (Isa 53)
3. Blameless & observable behavior, done in the service of God 1:15 holy in all you do 18 redeemed from the empty/aimless/futile way of life 2:12 Live such good lives among them that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us 3:16 keeping a clear conscience those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander 2Pt 3:11 since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness
Js 3:17 wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy 1Tim 5:22
4. Respect/Deference for the position (not speak evil of Ac 23:5) Euripides:+hands -heart
5. Meek/Praus/Humble/Gentle - Tamed strength under control Mt 11:35; 21:12; Aristotle: appropriate anger, not controlled by emotions nor circumstances; Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but equitable, showing all meekness to all men.
Fruit of HS Gal 5:22; 1Tim 6:11 flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3 Make every effort to keep the unity
Col 3:12 chosen people, holy & dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience/long-suffering
OLB: that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.
RR: In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. Prautes denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge...controlled strength, the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment
6. Tranquil/Peaceable/Quiet/Steadfast (keep seat) composure, without turmoil, well ordered or undisturbed from without and exhibiting a peaceful attitude. Ps 131:2 I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother…is my soul within me
7. Confident Obedient (listen under) Trust & Hope in God (key to Dungeon of Dispair) “…with a happy spirit” :) Gen 12:13; 20:12; 26:7
Hab 3:17 no blossom, fruit, oil, flock, herds… 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
8. Yes, my lord -Acknowledge Master Gen 18:12
9. Do Good-Fulfilling your responsibilities to do what’s in their best interest (=love), independently of what the other person does
10. Without alarm; anxious concern for consequences (since you KNOW God is in control) Rm 8:28 Phil 4:4-9
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
1. How does submission work in different cultural settings? If we’re supposed to submit to each other, why are women singled out?
2. In what way does internal meekness/strength and tranquility differ from outward spinelessness and silence?
3. Do values determine our submission? What if we have wrong values? How does death to self relate to submission? What if it hurts?
4. How should you respond if Stupid Saul or Balaam’s Ass tells you to do something ridiculous? What might God be trying to tell you?
5. How are/aren’t you demonstrating a fearing-the-Lord trusting-in-God attitude and actions in your relationships? |
