Ephesians 5:21-25

Context

Ephesians has traditionally been regarded as a letter written by Paul while in prison, although scholars disagree about its authorship. Among the practical exhortations that begin in chapter 4, the command in 5:18 to "be filled with the Spirit" is developed as a life of singing, giving thanks, and "submitting yourselves one to another." Verse 21 concludes this sequence and also introduces the household code that continues through 6:9. The household code is a series of exhortations addressed in turn to wives and husbands, children and parents, and servants and masters; scholars also call it a "household table." Verses 22-24 address wives, and verses 25 onward address husbands. Later, verse 32 likens the marital relationship to the "mystery" of the relationship between Christ and the church.

Interpretation

• Readings that emphasize distinct roles: These readings understand the statement that the husband is the wife's "head" as referring to the authority and responsibility the husband bears within the home. The wife's submission and the husband's self-sacrificial love are seen as distinct roles that complement each other. This position, known as complementarianism, is widely held in conservative evangelical circles.
• Readings that emphasize mutual submission: These readings treat "submitting yourselves one to another" in verse 21 as the heading for the entire section and read the wife's submission as one expression of this mutual submission. Some interpret "head" (Greek kephalē) as meaning source, or the one who supplies life, rather than authority. This position is commonly called egalitarianism.
• Readings that emphasize the historical setting: These readings hold that the passage borrows the form of Greco-Roman household codes, which centered on the male head of the household. Yet because it requires husbands to love with a self-giving love like that of Christ, who "gave himself," the passage is seen as in some respects transcending the social order of its time. This observation is made by proponents of both of the positions above.

Debates and Issues

• Textual question: Some early manuscripts lack the verb "submit" in verse 22. On this reading, verse 22 depends on the verb of verse 21. Those who emphasize mutual submission cite this as support for their view. Those who emphasize distinct roles hold that the submission in verse 21 itself refers to submission appropriate to each person's station.
• Relation to women's ordination: The passage does not directly address church offices. However, because the understanding of "headship" bears on the debate over women's ordination, the passage is often cited in that discussion.
• Quotation out of context: Critics have pointed out that verse 22 is sometimes isolated to demand one-sided obedience from wives or to justify enduring domestic violence. Interpreters of all positions generally maintain that the verse must be read together with verse 21 and with verses 25 and following.

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean Protestant churches, the passage is frequently used as a sermon text at wedding services, where it is often quoted in separate exhortations addressed to the groom and to the bride.

Related Passages

• Ephesians 5:31-32
• Colossians 3:18-19
• 1 Peter 3:1-7
• 1 Corinthians 11:11-12
• Galatians 3:26-29