What Does the Bible Say About Submission In A Marriage?

Genesis 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Colossians 3:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 5:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21-33 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ...

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

1 Peter 3:5-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

1 Peter 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,

Ephesians 6:1-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ...

Ephesians 5:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ...

Titus 2:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

1 Timothy 2:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

Ephesians 5:31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Ephesians 5:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Because we are members of his body.

Ephesians 5:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Ephesians 5:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Ephesians 5:22-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ...

Ephesians 5:22-24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

1 Corinthians 14:34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ...

1 Corinthians 6:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”

Matthew 19:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

1 Peter 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

1 Peter 2:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 13:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

Hebrews 10:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

1 Timothy 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.

Colossians 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

Colossians 3:18-4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ...

Ephesians 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

Ephesians 5:18-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 1:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 1:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

2 Corinthians 4:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...

1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 7:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Acts 22:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

John 17:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Luke 22:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Genesis 2:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, ...

58 Bible Verses about Submission In A Marriage

Genesis 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:21-33 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:5-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:31 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:22-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:22-24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:34 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:18-4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:18-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 4:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 7:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 22:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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