Ephesians 5:21
Ephesians 5:21 in Multiple Translations
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.
Letting yourselves be ruled by one another in the fear of Christ.
Each of you should be willing to accept what others tell you to do out of reverence for Christ.
Submitting your selues one to another in the feare of God.
subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.
subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.
Humbly submit yourselves to each other because you reverence Christ, who is our example.
Each of you has to think about what other Christians want, and agree with them, because you really respect Jesus Christ.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ephesians 5:21
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Ephesians 5:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Ephesians 5:21
Study Notes — Ephesians 5:21
- Context
- Cross References
- Ephesians 5:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ephesians 5:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 5:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
- Cambridge Bible on Ephesians 5:21
- Barnes' Notes on Ephesians 5:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
- Sermons on Ephesians 5:21
Context — Wives and Husbands
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philippians 2:3 | Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. |
| 2 | Ephesians 5:24 | Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. |
| 3 | Ephesians 5:22 | Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. |
| 4 | Hebrews 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you. |
| 5 | 1 Peter 5:5 | Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” |
| 6 | 1 Peter 2:17 | Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. |
| 7 | 1 Timothy 3:4 | An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. |
| 8 | Galatians 5:13 | For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. |
| 9 | 1 Timothy 2:11 | A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. |
| 10 | 1 Corinthians 16:16 | to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. |
Ephesians 5:21 Summary
Ephesians 5:21 teaches us to put others before ourselves out of respect and love for Jesus Christ. This means being willing to listen, serve, and yield to one another, even when it's hard. By doing so, we demonstrate our love for Christ and our commitment to following His example, as seen in John 13:35 where Jesus says that our love for one another will be a witness to the world. As we submit to one another, we reflect the heart of Christ and build each other up in love, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29-32.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ?
This means humbly putting others before ourselves, just as Jesus did, and honoring Him in our relationships, as seen in Philippians 2:3-8 where we are called to have the same mindset as Christ.
Is this verse only talking about marriage or does it apply to all relationships?
While the following verses, Ephesians 5:22-23, specifically address the marriage relationship, Ephesians 5:21 is a general principle that applies to all believers in their interactions with one another, as supported by Romans 12:10 where we are instructed to love one another with brotherly affection.
How can we practically submit to one another in our daily lives?
We can submit to one another by listening to and considering each other's needs and perspectives, as encouraged in James 1:19-20, and by serving one another in love, as demonstrated in Galatians 5:13.
Does submitting to one another mean we have to agree on everything?
No, submitting to one another does not require uniformity of opinion, but rather a willingness to yield to and respect one another, even in disagreement, as seen in Acts 15:1-35 where the early church navigated differences in opinion with grace and humility.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I practically demonstrate submission to others in my life, such as in my family, church, or workplace?
- How does my reverence for Christ impact my willingness to submit to others, and what are some areas where I can grow in this regard?
- What are some potential barriers to submitting to one another, and how can I overcome them in my own relationships?
- How can I balance the need to submit to others with the importance of standing firm in my convictions and values, as taught in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14?
Gill's Exposition on Ephesians 5:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 5:21
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
Trapp's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
Ellicott's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
Cambridge Bible on Ephesians 5:21
Barnes' Notes on Ephesians 5:21
Whedon's Commentary on Ephesians 5:21
Sermons on Ephesians 5:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Heart to Heart Talk on Marriage by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker starts by sharing a personal anecdote about watching a nature channel and being disturbed by the aggressive behavior of wild dogs in South Africa. He th |
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The Joys of Being Spirit Filled by Francis Chan | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being Spirit-filled, focusing on constant thanksgiving, sharing scripture with others, and maintaining a heart of worship through psalms an |
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(A Heavenly Church) 2. the Works That Jesus Did by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the idea of Jesus being urged to preach and use his power at a young age. However, Jesus remained steadfast in his mission and did not succu |
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Submission and Authority (Luke 7:8) by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of the Centurion servant and highlights the devastating effects of sin in the life of a believer. The preacher emphasizes the impo |
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A Further Look at Authority 2: Delegated Authority by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenges of being in authority and being under authority. They emphasize that being in authority is not easy and can be even more diffic |
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Others by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his experience of preaching to children on a bus route and how it changed his life. He emphasizes the importance of using simple illustratio |
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Everyone Needs to Do Nursery (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his past actions and realizes that he had been serving with the wrong motives, attitude, relationship, and resources. He feels remorseful an |







