Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:21

What does Ephesians 5:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:21 means

Spirit-filled believers practice mutual submission, yielding preferences and serving one another “in the fear of Christ.” Reverence for Christ—who humbled Himself and now reigns—creates a community where self-assertion gives way to love. Submission here is not the erasure of roles but the adoption of a Christlike posture that considers others’ good first. This verse is a hinge: it both concludes the Spirit-filled lifestyle and introduces the household instructions that follow. All the specific calls—to wives and husbands, and beyond—must be read in this atmosphere of reciprocal humility shaped by awe of Christ’s lordship and sacrificial example.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Letting yourselves be ruled by one another in the fear of Christ.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

submitting yourselves to one another in [the] fear of Christ.

Context

Rounding out the marks of Spirit-filling (vv. 18–20), mutual submission prepares the ground for the household code that follows. Verse 22 will address wives, verse 25 husbands, and the passage will unfold how Christ’s relationship to the church models marriage. Keeping verse 21 in view ensures that the instructions are not about domination but about Christ-shaped service within God-ordered relationships. The fear of Christ provides the motive and the boundary for all submission and leadership.

v.20giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

v.21This passage

v.22Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Nehemiah 5:15

    But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

  • Hebrews 13:17

    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.

  • 1 Peter 5:5

    Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:24

    And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

  • Genesis 16:9

    And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

  • 1 Timothy 3:4

    one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ephesians 5

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ephesians 5.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Ephesians 5:21.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary