In Eph 5 we get a glimpse of four characteristics of being filled with the Spirit. The fourth is a lifestyle of submission out of respect for Christ. See below for this section in outline form (cf. Eph 5.19ff):
Be filled with the Spirit,
(1) speaking to one another…
(2) singing to the Lord…
(3) giving thanks to God the Father…
and (4) submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Then what follows are examples of how this fourth characteristic plays out in real-life scenarios: between husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and slaves. These examples and ideas of submission seem antiquated and overly conservative to us today. But it helps to understand how the Ephesians probably reacted to first hearing these words.
“Paul’s words would have shocked his ancient readers, for he was speaking both to master and to slave, to husband and to wife, to parents and to children. Paul requires that those who occupy dominant positions in the social order be subject to their subordinates; they are to order their lives under the very people over whom they exercise authority.” [G. Sittser]
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph 5.21)
When we submit to others, we strive to benefit them, valuing them because Christ died for them.
Let’s pray: Lord, empower me that I may joyfully submit my life to You, striving to serve the best interests of others…
Let’s surrender ourselves to the Lord in worship as we sing, “Come Rest On Us” (click here) by Upperroom.
— JP