Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:22

What does Ephesians 5:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:22 means

Paul calls wives to be subject to their own husbands “as unto the Lord.” The submission is personal and limited—it is to one’s “own” husband, not to all men—and it is ultimately an act of devotion to the Lord, not mere accommodation to culture. This posture reflects trust in God’s order and honors Christ, who dignifies and transforms marriage. It is a voluntary, Spirit-enabled disposition, not coerced servility. Within Christian marriage, such submission fosters harmony and mission-focused unity, as each spouse seeks the other’s good under Christ’s authority. Read in light of verse 21, it exists within a mutual environment of humility and service, though expressed differently by each role.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Wives, be under the authority of your husbands, as of the Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

The wives! to your own husbands subject yourselves, as to the Lord,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Wives, [submit yourselves] to your own husbands, as to the Lord,

Context

Having described the Spirit-filled community and mutual submission (v. 21), Paul begins applying these truths to marriage. He first addresses wives, calling them to a Lord-centered submission to their own husbands. The next verses (23–24) will ground this in the analogy of Christ and the church, presenting a theological pattern rather than a merely cultural instruction. Then verses 25–33 will focus extensively on the far-reaching, sacrificial love required of husbands. This order shows that Christian marriage reflects the gospel’s dynamics.

v.21subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

v.22This passage

v.23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 14:34

    let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.

  • Genesis 3:16

    Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

  • Ephesians 5:22

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

  • 1 Peter 3:1

    In like manner, ye wives, bein subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives;

  • Esther 1:16

    And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

  • Colossians 3:18

    Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

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