Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
So far in Chapter 3, we have been introduced to our new position in Christ, and what that looks like. This new position afforded us a new change of clothes that is to be “Put on” and an old one that is to be “put off.” The Crowning jewel of this Christian garment is love, it was said to be the “Bond of perfectness” [3:14]. Peace is to rule our hearts and in verse 17 we were given an overarching reminder to guide us, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” In verses 3:18-4:5 we see that this new position in Christ not only governs our relationship with Him and the Church but every relationship.
There is no such thing as a nine-to-five Christian, Our relationship with Him permeates every other relationship we have, whether that be our relationship with the body at our local assembly, or whether that be our relationship with our family at home, or our relationship with the people at work and even those “without” as stated in Chapter 4:5. What a timely reminder in the midst of a chapter about union and unity! We don’t need much persuasion that we should live peaceably with our God, and with our brothers but how often do we forget that; “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” [Rom 12:18]. Here is the underlying truth, that our relationship with Christ should govern every other relationship we have in this world. First and foremost, we are Christians, and then wives and husbands, and children and parents, and servants and masters. That is the key to being the best father or mother or child or employer or employee or citizen, first, being a Christian and then all other things.
The Holy Ghost addresses these relationships pointedly, naming the separate parties, and instructing them individually. Wives are told to submit to their own husbands. Submission is a sure way to peace. It also insinuates a contest. This goes hand in hand with the curse that is spoken to the first wife of all, “and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” God spoke this decree ever before they were booted out of the garden, and this is the only type of relationship man and woman have known since the day that sin entered this world. That the husband would rule over the wife. In today’s society, it is considered backward and neolithic to believe this, but God’s word is settled, and Man is still the head of the home. Ladies, the quickest way to a peaceable home is not by dominance and striving for the leadership position but by simply submitting. As you submitted your will to God’s, also submit your will to his edict of this governing of the marriage relationship, “Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” If you fight against this, you’re not simply fighting against your husband, you are fighting against the word of God that is unchanging. You could also fight against the Word of God about sorrow in childbearing but it won’t make it hurt any less, possibly more. Therefore, because you have submitted to Christ, submit to your husband. We aren’t in a wrestling match, but a relationship, and how much more peaceable it would be if we submit. In a relationship, there are only these 2 options, contest or submission, submission to the God-given authorities, with this caveat:"as it is fit in the Lord," is the only way to peace within and without. In Ephesians 5:21, all of us are instructed to submit, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Submission is first of all to God and then to all authorities in our lives, so long as our submission to men doesn’t cause us to disobey God, “As it is fit in the Lord."
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