Eph 5:21-6:9 Introduction

This series of pages contains a detailed examination of the passage in Ephesians 5:21-6:9 in which women are commanded to submit to their husbands, children to their parents, and slaves to their masters. This extensive study was written by the editors of Make Straight Paths as an example of a thorough in-depth Bible study. It was not written to counter any specific Family doctrines, but rather as an example of biblical analysis. On this point, this series complements the series of pages on the principles of biblical interpretation, which lay out the general principles on which the analysis of the passage in Ephesians was conducted.

The Authority of the Bible

Basic Bible Interpretation

Proof-Texting

The Bible Student

There are four pages in the series on Ephesians 5:21 - 6:9. The Bible translation quoted throughout these pages is the Updated New American Standard (NASU).

Part One: The Context

This page looks at the background of the book of Ephesians, focussing particularly on the lives of women, children and slaves. It also examines the difficulty many Christians find with applying this passage due to the apparent incompatibility of wifely submission with modern values.

Part Two: The Content

This page examines in detail the structure of the language Paul used, and gives a general summary of the passage.

Part Three: Definitions

Here are the definitions of the key words of Eph 5:21-6:9. Please read this page carefully.

Part Four: Principles and Application

Finally the underlying principles of the passage are examined, followed by the modern application.

For a brief overview of marriage, parents and children, and leaders and followers in the Family, please see Family Life in the Family.

The purpose of the series

Please take the time to study all four parts of this series. It is the authors’ prayer that not only will this provide some assistance to those wishing some clarification on the subject of submission within the home, but also it will show by example the kind of depth that is required in all Bible study. The authors do not claim that the viewpoint expressed here is the only scripturally possible one. Many sincere Christians emphasise the equality of the sexes more strongly than is set forth here, and others believe that a much higher level of submission is required. The main error of the Family is not that they are too strict or too lenient (for it may be said that they have a curious combination of both), but that they neglect the passage in its entirety, as is the case with much of the Bible.

The purpose, therefore, is to give the Scriptures the attention they deserve.

Ephesians 5:21- 6:9 Part One: The Context

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