Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Etymology: The term "submit" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of yielding or surrendering one's own will to the authority or will of another. The Greek word often translated as "submit" in the New Testament is "hypotassō," which means to arrange under, to subordinate, or to subject oneself. In Hebrew, the concept is captured by words like "kaná," which implies humility and yielding. Biblical Context and Usage: Submission is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of order, humility, and obedience in various relationships and contexts. It is often discussed in the context of relationships within the family, the church, and society at large. 1. Submission to God: Submission to God is foundational in the Christian faith. James 4:7 instructs believers, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This submission involves acknowledging God's sovereignty and aligning one's life with His will and commandments. 2. Submission in the Family: The Bible outlines specific roles within the family structure, emphasizing mutual respect and love. Ephesians 5:22-24 states, "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." This passage is often discussed alongside Ephesians 5:25, which calls husbands to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loved the church. 3. Submission in the Church: Within the church, submission is seen as a means of maintaining order and unity. Hebrews 13:17 advises, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account. Allow them to do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you." This submission is not blind obedience but a recognition of the spiritual authority and responsibility of church leaders. 4. Submission to Governing Authorities: Christians are also called to submit to governmental authorities as an expression of their submission to God. Romans 13:1 declares, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God." This submission is part of a broader call to live peaceably and honorably within society. 5. Mutual Submission Among Believers: Ephesians 5:21 encourages believers to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission is a reflection of the humility and love that should characterize Christian relationships, fostering unity and cooperation within the body of Christ. Theological Implications: Submission in the biblical sense is not about inferiority or coercion but about willingly placing oneself under God's ordained order. It reflects a heart attitude of humility, trust, and obedience. Submission is ultimately an act of faith, trusting that God's design and authority structures are for the good of individuals and the community. Practical Application: Believers are encouraged to practice submission in their daily lives by prioritizing God's will, respecting family roles, honoring church leadership, obeying laws, and serving one another in love. This practice is seen as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel and a means of glorifying God in all aspects of life. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To let down; to lower.2. (v. t.) To put or place under. 3. (v. t.) To yield, resign, or surrender to power, will, or authority; -- often with the reflexive pronoun. 4. (v. t.) To leave or commit to the discretion or judgment of another or others; to refer; as, to submit a controversy to arbitrators; to submit a question to the court; -- often followed by a dependent proposition as the object. 5. (v. i.) To yield one's person to the power of another; to give up resistance; to surrender. 6. (v. i.) To yield one's opinion to the opinion of authority of another; to be subject; to acquiesce. 7. (v. i.) To be submissive or resigned; to yield without murmuring. Greek 5226. hupeiko -- to retire, withdraw, submit ... to retire, withdraw, submit. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupeiko Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-i'-ko) Short Definition: I yield Definition: I yield, submit ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5226.htm - 6k 5293. hupotasso -- to place or rank under, to subject, mid. to ... 1379. dogmatizo -- to decree, to subject oneself to an ordinance 5254. hupecho -- to hold or put under, fig. to undergo 4642. skleros -- hard, rough 5260. hupoballo -- to throw or put under 1502. eiko -- to yield 3980. peitharcheo -- to obey authority Strong's Hebrew 3584. kachash -- to disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean... deceives (1), deception (1), denied (2), deny (3), denying (1), fail (2), give feigned obedience (1), grown lean (1), lied (3), pretend obedience (2), submit (1 ... /hebrew/3584.htm - 6k 7511. raphas -- to stamp, tread 6031a. anah -- to be bowed down or afflicted 6031. anah -- to be bowed down or afflicted Library Submit Yourselves Therefore to God. James 4:7. Let the Authors of Sedition Submit Themselves. Let the Authors of Sedition Submit Themselves. The Eighteenth Chapter: Man Should not Scrutinize this Sacrament ... I am first to give you some directions for bringing your people to ... And yet Let no one Think that we are Perversely Determined not to ... Let the Members of the Church Submit Themselves, and no one Exalt ... Let the Members of the Church Submit Themselves, and no one Exalt ... How to Overcome Disappointment Of the Means of Belief Thesaurus Submit (36 Occurrences)... 4. (vt) To leave or commit to the discretion or judgment of another or others; to refer; as, to submit a controversy to arbitrators; to submit a question to ... /s/submit.htm - 17k Dwindle (10 Occurrences) Cringe (5 Occurrences) Take (11064 Occurrences) Defer (7 Occurrences) Stoop (10 Occurrences) Submissive (12 Occurrences) Selfsurrender Self-surrender Obey (219 Occurrences) Resources Does a wife have to submit to her husband? | GotQuestions.orgHow are we to submit to God? | GotQuestions.org Submit your Bible Questions to GotQuestions.org | GotQuestions.org Submit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Submit (36 Occurrences)Luke 10:17 Luke 10:20 Acts 7:39 Romans 8:7 Romans 10:3 Romans 13:5 1 Corinthians 6:7 1 Corinthians 16:16 2 Corinthians 11:4 Galatians 2:2 Galatians 2:5 Galatians 5:1 Ephesians 5:21 Ephesians 5:22 Ephesians 5:24 Colossians 2:20 Colossians 3:18 Titus 3:1 Hebrews 12:9 Hebrews 13:17 James 4:7 1 Peter 2:13 1 Peter 2:18 1 Peter 5:5 Genesis 16:9 Genesis 41:40 Genesis 49:15 Deuteronomy 33:29 2 Samuel 22:45 2 Chronicles 30:8 Psalms 18:44 Psalms 66:3 Psalms 68:30 Psalms 68:31 Psalms 81:11 Psalms 81:15 Subtopics Related Terms |