Christian Subjection.

"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:21

This is a general exhortation which sums up much of what has been set forth in the fourth and fifth chapters of this epistle. It is founded upon the grand truth of the unity of the mystical Body of Christ, being addressed to the saints; in whom, as living members of that Body, in the building up of which they are both individually interested and personally responsible, according to the measure of grace bestowed upon each (Ephesians 4:1-7, 16). When bidding them, "speak every man truth with his neighbor," it was at once added, "for we are members one of another" (Ephesians 4:25). Holding firmly to the Head of faith, they were to walk in the power of that Spirit who secured them in Christ for salvation and joined them to each other in His love (Ephesians 5:18-20). Above all, it was to be kept in their remembrance that corporately, they were God's "temple" (Ephesians 2:19-21), and individually, His "children" (Ephesians 5:1); and so were exhorted to "walk in love" (Ephesians 5:2) and "in the fear of God" (Ephesians 5:21). Therefore, they should submit themselves not only to God in their individual relation to Him—but also to one another.

Ephesians 5:21 is also to be regarded as standing at the head of that section of the epistle which runs on to the end of Ephesians 6:9, enunciating the general principle which is illustrated by the details of the verses that follow. "Submitting yourselves one to another" certainly does not signify that true Christianity is a species of spiritual communism, which reduces all to one common level.

So far from breaking up the ordinary relations of life and producing disorder, lawlessness, and insubordination; it confirms every legitimate authority and makes each just yoke lighter. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes—pay taxes; if revenue—then revenue; if respect—then respect; if honor—then honor." (Romans 13:1, 7). "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:17). "Fear God. Honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17). "Submitting yourselves one to another"—according to your different situations and relations in the church and in the community, and that subjection which is established by God's Word and ordered by His providence.

This call to mutual subjection—then, not only crowns the series of precepts going before—but is also made the foundation of an exposition of Christian deportment in those natural and social relations to which special obligations belong, and in which Christians are likely to find themselves placed. The Gospel does not abolish civil distinctions—but binds the believer unto a keeping of the order set up by God. In the light of what immediately follows, where wives are enjoined to be in subjection to their husbands, and children are enjoined to be in subjection to their parents, and servants are enjoined to be in subjection to their masters—some have concluded that "submitting yourselves one to another" signifies nothing more than "render obedience unto whom it is due." But this is an unwarrantable narrowing of its scope to restrict it unto the duty of inferiors to superiors, for the terms of this injunction are not qualified. Nor does such a limitation accord so well with other Scriptures. But more: Such an interpretation is not in keeping with what follows—for husbands, parents, masters are also addressed, and their duties pressed upon them.

While the duty of the wife's subjection to her husband is insisted upon—yet the obligations of the husband to his wife are also enforced. If children be there required to render obedience to their parents, the responsibility of fathers is also stated. While servants are instructed how to conduct themselves unto their masters, the masters are taught to treat their employees with due consideration and kindness. There, too, the balance is blessedly preserved. Power is not to be abused. Authority must not degenerate into tyranny. Law is to be administered mercifully. Rule is to be regulated by love. Government and discipline must be maintained in the state, the church, and the home; yet governors are to act in the fear of God, and instead of domineering over their subjects, seek their good and serve their interests. Christians are not to aspire after dominance—but usefulness. Self-denial rather than self-assertiveness is the badge of Christian discipleship!

Saints are likened unto sheep—and not goats or wolves! Submitting yourselves one to another means mutually serving one another, and seeking each other's well-being and advantage in all things.

"Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4), that is to say, it is a revolt against God's authority, a defying of Him, a species of self-will. Sin chafes at any restraints, and it is determined to have its own way. Sin is self-centered, imperious, and indifferent to the welfare of others. Yokes and restrictions are intolerable unto sin, and every attempt to enforce them meets with opposition. That resistance is evinced from earliest infancy, for a thwarted babe will cry and kick, because not allowed to have its own way! Because all are born in sin, the world is filled with strife and contention, crime and war! But at regeneration, a principle of grace is communicated, and though sin is not annihilated, its dominion is broken. The love of God is shed abroad in the renewed heart to counteract its native selfishness. The yoke of Christ is voluntarily assumed by the believer, and His examplebecomes the Rule of his daily walk. Made a member of His body, he is henceforth to lay himself out in promoting the interests of his brethren and sisters. He is under bonds to do good unto all men, especially to those who belong to the Household of Faith.

It is because sin indwells the Christian, that he needs to have this injunction, "submitting yourselves one to another" frequently pressed upon him. Such is poor human nature, that when a man is elevated to a position of honor, even though it is a regenerate man who is called to serve as a deacon, he is prone to lord it over his brethren. A most solemn warning against this horrible proclivity is found in Luke 22:24: "A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest." That strife was among the twelve apostles, while they sat in the Savior's presence after the Last Supper! Alas, how little has that warning been heeded! How many since then have aspired for the precedency. How often a spirit of envy andstrife has been engendered by those who strove for superiority in the churches. How few realize that doing good is better than being great; or rather, that the only true and noble greatness, consists in being good and doing good—to spend and be spent in the service of others. Greatness consists in ministering to those less favored.

Nevertheless, there is a subordination and condescension appointed by God, which we are required to observe. This is true of ecclesiastical power. God has ordained that there shall be teachers—and the taught, governors—and the governed. He raises up those who are to have the spiritual supervision of others—and those others are required to subordinate themselves to their authority (Hebrews 13:17). But their rule is administrativeand not legislative, directive more than authoritative.

Here, too, there must be mutual submission, for in both teachers and the taught, there is mutual service. The teachers themselves are but "ministers" (1 Corinthians 4:1). They have indeed an honorable office—yet they are only servants (2 Corinthians 4:5) whose work is to feed the flock, to act as directors or guides by word and example (1 Timothy 4:12). Though they "are over you in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 5:12)—yet not "as being lords over God's heritage" (1 Peter 5:3); but as motivated by love for souls, seeking their edification, gently endeavoring to persuade, rather than compelling and tyrannizing.

There is also political power, or governmental authority, in the civil state, which is God's ordinance and unto which His people must yield for His sake. "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right." (1 Peter 2:13-14). Thus, there is an obligation of conscience to submit unto our civil governors, both unto the supreme and the subordinate magistrate—the only exception being when they require something from me which clashes with God's Rule, for to act contrary to that, would be defiance of Divine authority; and therefore, would be for the Devil's sake rather than the Lord's.

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