Greek Word Study | 5293: submit (hupotasso)

Hupotasso is used 38 times in 10 books in the Bible.

Key Verses:

• Rm 13:1
• Col 3:18
• Titus 2:5
• Titus 2:9
• James 4:7
• 1 Pt 2:13
• 1 Pt 2:18
• 1 Pt 3:1
• 1 Pt 5:5

Bruce Wilkinson defines it as “following and supporting in love,” “affirmation, willingness, and unadorned loyalty,” and “the loving will to follow.”  (Experiencing Spiritual Breakthroughs, p. 152.)

Bruce Wilkson writes, “The English word submit is another compound in the Greek, hupotasso.  It combines roots meaning ‘under’ and ‘to arrange together.’  In its narrowest definition, submit means to arrange all parts underneath.  The wife, then, is to arrange all parts of her life under the leadership of her husband.  This is why the Bible doesn’t use a word like obey instead of submit.  To submit to someone goes far beyond mere obedience.  For example, you can obey another without bringing anything under his or her authority except that single act.  Submission focuses on the deeper and more important issues of one’s heart and intentions.”  (Experiencing Spiritual Breakthroughs, p. 155.)

Bruce Wilkson writes, “Submission is not just what you do; it’s an attitude of wanting with all your heart and will to honor your husband.” (Experiencing Spiritual Breakthroughs, p. 156.)

Andreas Kostenberger writes, “Their submission [wives] is not to be grudging or perfunctory but loving and willing.  The Greek word for ‘submit,’ hypotasso, conveys the notion of ‘placing oneself under’ another person’s authority, which implies that this is done voluntarily rather than under compulsion.  Eph 5:21-33 links wives’ submission with respect for their husband.  This respect ought to be freely given.  Respect doesn’t mean uncritical adoration, just as submission doesn’t mean subservience.”  (God, Marriage, and Family, p. 111.)

“The Greek word for submitting does not refer to being under the absolute control of another but to voluntarily placing oneself under the authority of another.”  (NKJV Study Bible, Eph. 5:22.)

“The Greek term for submission has military origins, emphasizing being under the authority of another. The word does not connote a forced submission; instead it is a voluntary submission to a proper authority. Thus Paul seems to be saying that wives should voluntarily place themselves under the authority of their husbands. The same word is used to describe Christians voluntarily submitting to governmental authorities (1 Pet. 2:13) and younger people submitting to the wisdom of their elders (1 Pet. 5:5). In this passage, Paul gives the illustration of the church’s submission to Christ. After encouraging wives to submit to their husbands, Paul goes on to describe how children should obey their parents, and slaves their masters. Their subordination is described in terms of obedience, instead of in terms of voluntary submission.”  (NKJV Study Bible, Eph 5:22.)

“Moreover, submission does not imply inferiority (cf. Gal 3:28) but a difference in role since Christ functionally submits to the Father (1 Cor 15:28).” (NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, Eph 5:22.)

“Instead of telling wives to “obey” (Gk. hypakouō), as was typical in Roman households, Paul appeals to them to “submit” (Gk. hypotassō), based on his conviction that men have a God-given leadership role in the family. The term suggests an ordering of society in which wives should align themselves with and respect the leadership of their husbands.”  (ESV Study Bible, Col 3:18.)

“The Gr. verb denotes willingly putting oneself under someone or something.” (MacArthur Study Bible, Col 3:18.)

“To submit is to recognize one’s place under someone else in a social order.”  (NLT Study Bible, Col 3:18.)

“The word submit is a military term meaning to “arrange oneself under another” and indicates a voluntary submission, not an unthinking obedience.”  (NKJV Study Bible, Col 3:18.)

Drawing from several resources, Elizabeth George writes, “In the Bible, submission is primarily a military term meaning to rank oneself under someone else.  This attitude is lived out by subjection and obedience, by leaving things to the judgment of another person and yielding or deferring to the opinion or authority of someone else (A Woman After God’s Own Heart, p. 65, referencing Vine’s Expository Dictionary and Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary).

John MacArthur writes, “Hupotasso means to relinquish one’s rights, and the Greek middle voice emphasizes the willing submitting of oneself.”  (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians, 280.)