In the context of a society that resists submission and rejects being told no, God is creating a Family of sons and daughters who will submit to Him and to each other, to serve and praise Him, and to reign with Him in His Kingdom forever. The apostle Paul, addressing those filled with the Holy Spirit, emphasizes mutual submission among Christians as a fundamental principle. In Ephesians 5, he specifically instructs wives to submit to their own husbands, as to the Lord, highlighting that this act of submission is not merely a duty but is to be done in the fear of Christ. This principle is part of a broader call for all believers to submit to one another, reflecting a spiritual unity and order akin to soldiers under command, willingly subjecting themselves for the sake of the whole. Paul underscores that such submission must be motivated by a reverence for Christ, distinguishing Christian behavior from worldly self-assertion, and ensuring that it is carried out with the right spirit and motive, to glorify Him.

The principle of submitting, derived from the Greek word *hupotasso* meaning to arrange in order under, carries significant weight in husband-and-wife relationships. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, reflecting a structure of authority akin to a military hierarchy where each rank is positioned under another. This submission is not merely about obedience, which implies following commands, but involves a deeper yielding out of respect, affection, or recognition of superior authority. It engages the will of the individual, making it a vital aspect of character development in the eyes of God. Submission in marriage is challenging due to miseducation from cultural traditions and personal attitudes that prioritize self-gratification over yielding to authority. These influences create conflict, as societal norms often clash with divine principles. True liberty in this context comes from submitting to God's truth, recognizing that even in difficult circumstances, such submission is an act of faith and respect for divinely appointed authority. This principle mirrors the example of Christ, who submitted to unjust authority out of respect for God's overarching control, demonstrating that submission is not contingent on the character of the one in authority but on one's relationship with God. In marriage, wives submitting to husbands is part of a broader call to respect authority as a reflection of faith in God's purpose. This act of submission, even when the husband may be flawed or oppressive, is not about endorsing wrongdoing but about trusting that God is sovereign over all circumstances. It is a conscious choice to honor God's order, believing that He is aware of every situation and deeply cares about the response given in faith. Thus, biblical submission in the context of wives to husbands is about respecting divinely appointed authority out of reverence for Christ, ensuring that personal desires do not override the pursuit of God's will.

A chief purpose of marriage and family is to teach proper, godly government, providing an environment to learn both submission to authority and oversight of others in love. In the marriage relationship, the term "submit" indicates yielding to the one in authority, while "head" denotes the husband's authority over his wife and family, mirroring Christ's authority over His Bride, the church. Love, as the basis of God's government, is exemplified by Christ's actions toward His church through sacrificing, sanctifying, cleansing, glorifying, nourishing, and cherishing it. These actions guide the husband, the head, in producing a happy, successful marriage. The husband's authority is balanced by loving care, while the wife's submission is compensated by her ultimate glorification. Good government in marriage offsets power with love, humility, and the promise of reward, aiming to produce enduring, harmonious mates, productive children, and righteous character in all involved. For the marriage to function as intended, a couple should establish their own household, allowing the husband to be the head without interference and the wife to have clear loyalty to her husband, fostering the growth and character development needed for their relationship and God's Kingdom.