For the last meeting of our Titus 2 study, we considered what God's command to submit to our husbands means for us. This command is not just found in Titus 2: 4-5; it is also found in Ephesians 5:22-24, Colossians 3:18, and 1 Peter 2:23-3:2.
First, we discussed the word "submission." It comes from the Latin "sub" meaning "under" and "mitto, missi" meaning "to send." So, in essence, submission is a wife choosing to "send" her desires, thoughts for how things ought to be done, etc. "under" her husband's desires and thoughts. Of course, as with all commands from God, this needs to be done cheerfully and respectfully.
These passages teach us that the command to submit comes to us from God himself (meaning that we will be accountable to Him alone at judgement for our obedience) and that we are to submit to our own husbands about everything (unless they demand us to do something against Biblical commands).
We also noted that the greatest hindrance to our submission is not our husband's lack of leadership, desire for carnal things (like video games), or even lack of salvation. Our greatest hindrance to obedience in this area is the same as every other area -- our desire is for our own way instead of God's way.
Luke 5:1-6 gives a great example of how we are to submit. In this story, we see that Peter (a fisherman by profession) respectfully gives his opinion about the command that Jesus gave. ("Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.") In the same way, we have insights, knowledge, or perspectives that our husbands might not have considered. We ought to respectfully share these with them.
In Peter's story, Jesus' command does not change upon receiving Peter's information. So Peter simply obeyed Him ("But because you say so, I will let down the nets.") Similarly, sometimes our husbands' decisions will not change based on the information we provide. Our response in this instance is simple -- we do what they have requested and trust God with the outcome.
There are so many blessings from submission. First of all, our Titus 2 reading tells us that doing so will keep the word of God from being maligned. (I hope it is acceptable for me to think in the positive -- that doing so will honor the word of God in the eyes of others.) Submission shows the world that difference that Christ makes in the life of a woman.
There are many other blessings as well -- peace in our lives and homes (We no longer have to fight for our own way because we have already decided to give it up.), greater love and respect for our husbands, seeing our husbands become leaders, rightly reflecting the relationship between the church and God, and practicing so that submission to God is easier.
