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. Within 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. At the same time, it 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 Haustafel ("household table"). Verses 22-24 address wives, and verses 25 onward address husbands. Verse 32, later in the chapter, likens the marital relationship to the "mystery" of the relationship between Christ and the church.

Interpretation

• Readings that emphasize distinct roles: These 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 but complementary roles. This position, known in English as complementarianism, is widely held in conservative evangelical circles.
• Readings that emphasize mutual submission: These 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 one who supplies life, rather than authority. This position is commonly called egalitarianism.
• Readings that emphasize the historical setting: These 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," these readings see the passage as in some respects transcending the social order of its time. Proponents of both of the positions above make this observation.

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. 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, it is often cited in that discussion.
• Quotation out of context: It has been 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 verses 25 and following.

In the Korean Church

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