Should wives submit to their husbands?

Question

CalmUntilAbused · Accepted Answer

Were You inspired by the Liturgy of the Word for last Sunday?

Well, I believe wives should submit to their husbands, in accordance with Ephesians 5: 21-32. However, this is only binding if the husband actually loves his wife, since... yeah, Paul the Apostle sure knew what He was doing. If a husband abuses his wife, she is not obliged to submit to him. On the other hand, if the wife does not submit to her husband, he is not obliged to love her. No double standards here, not on Paul the Apostle's watch. Thus, men are indeed supposed to be the leaders in marriages, but gentle ones. No tyrants are ever entitled to the devotion of those they rule.

It's worth noting how Paul the Apostle's teachings, while strictly based on the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, basically initialized the list of viable reasons for voiding a Catholic marriage (that's no divorce, that's "voiding", since it basically means the marriage was never in effect in the first place). One clasification of those reasons I've heard of breaks it down into:

- Lack of actual love in the relationship in tbe first place (if either spouses - by the teachings of Paul the Apostle it would be the husband, but since we've got all this "equality" thing going on, it's fair to extend it for both spouses - does not love the other, the marriage is considered void).

- Lack of marriage consummation (if the marriage is not consummated, it can be made void - though this is left a bit ambigous, since if both spouses are fine with it, it's considered fine).

- Being misguided as to the true character of the other spouse (basically, psychopathic and narcissist people cannot be wed, since because they act kind and caring in the beginning to lure the other spouse into marriage, and they can do it convincingly, those other spouses will always be misguided as to their true nature - also, it's basically an extension of lack of love, since one does not really lie to those one loves).

- Being forced into marriage (since the decision to marry anyone must be made out of one's free will, if either spouse is forced into marriage in any way, such a marriage is clearly void from the very beginning).

These four categories of reasons can obviously be dug deeper into, but they pretty much already correspond perfectly with the teachings of both Our Lord Jesus Christ and of Paul the Apostle. Also, please note that any marriage that cannot be properly consummated, such as a same-sex marriage, will also be void from the very beginning. Thus, even if the priests cracked under pressure and started to bless such marriages, it would all be for nothing.

BCRanger10 · Accepted Answer

Yes, they should. My wife and I have had many discussions about this.

No, it's not because it's some kind of male privilege, the woman is piece of property or living sex toy, or relic of outdated cultural norms from some backwards-thinking society or some other goofy thing like that. In fact, none of that is true AT ALL. Yeah, it is the man's rightful place, but there are reasons for and layers to it.

On the natural level, it's because the man is typically the one working to provide for the family. Plus, without the man, there is no family to begin with; she does not get what she wants without him. He's given up his freedom and independence to marry a woman and have children with her. He may have to give up a job he likes for one that pays more, nights out with his friends, and a host of other things to feed, house, and clothe his family. For her specifically, he has given her his own body. My paternal grandfather worked three jobs to do so for seven children. My mom, the fifth of six, used to ask her father "Dad, what would you do without us?" And he'd reply "Live like a king." With all that said, if a man makes a decision, the least his wife can do is support him (assuming, of course, that what he has decided is both legal and moral and to the good of the family).

With that being said, on the supernatural level (or a Christian perspective, however you choose to see it), if you look at the other verses in between, you see that there is clearly more - in both kind and number - expected of the man. I think the real key to understanding these verses is found in 1 Corinthians 11, where Paul says that a man is to the glory of God and the woman is to the glory of man. If the man glorifies God first and foremost, then his wife, whom he should be leading to God, is also glorified in and by their marriage.

coxoabean · Accepted Answer

Yes, they always should. Even if they don't want to, they should. The Lord calls us to submit to our husband who he has blessed us with. Except for in the case where our husband is telling us to commit a sin, then we are to obey God over our husband. But when he isn't telling us to actually commit a sin against God's word, yes, we are to obey him, respect him and be his helper. We are to support him and love him unconditionally, even if he doesn't "deserve" our respect. Even if he isn't nice to us, we are to love him still and want to do the best to him, help him in all his struggles, be along side him every step he takes, in life. We are to cherish him and pray for him daily. We are to be a good example to our kids and tell them to honor their father as well. To teach our kids to respect our husband and love him.

Abbycado · Accepted Answer

Yes, I would submit requests. No problem. Jk XD

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Odd question , unless  you like playing with ambiguous concepts , that have a  religious meaning  for a specific part of the population, and another  gloomy meaning  for another part of the population. Now, if it is a thread to notify women of your religious status, then okay, it will work. It is a way to ensure  selective dating based on religious beliefs . But then, Charlie,  why do you allow men to answer?  🤣

RebelinSteel · Answer

No it’s 2024 and we do not or rather should not need a book written thousands of years ago (and not really updated since) to decide how we live in 2024. If a person needs a book to tell them what’s good and how to interact with others, they have failed. Communication, respect, honesty, trust, consent, are pretty much the bedrock of a marriage not a verse from some book.

HelpfulWoman · Answer

IF THEY WANT TO. if the more "traditional" dynamic is discussed and agreed upon by all parties in the relationship, then crack on. Otherwise its dodgy as fuck

Jennz6 · Answer

I’m not married but if I were I would be submissive and obedient to my husband because that’s what I believe we should do

RobT312 · Answer

This is still valid and there's truth to it. I think people take it the wrong way in modern times

MrWolf03 · Answer

Yes, wives should honor and respect their husbands as the head of the family and the spiritual leader. Husbands should, in turn, love and provide for their wives.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

Ideally, yes. But in return, men have to live and love in service to their wives; that's the other side of that coin. The man has to be worthy of her submission. So she while might be choosing to subordinate herself to him; in exchange, her wellbeing is a focal point of his life.

RavVid · Answer

Some women are disputatious just to be disputatious. They wouldn't get to be wife.

There is nothing wrong with discussion and that is not submission. At various times I might be strongly in favor of a particular approach and I would expect to simply agree.

I don't think that is submissive just being reasonable. At all times I would expect a wife to be reasonable.

strateguy632 · Answer

Obviously yes. It does not mean slave. it means that two equal votes then nothing will get decided.  One said "I want yellow curtains." 2, "I veto." Boom no decision. Obviously she must submit.

jshm2 · Answer

The old meanings of words do not translate well into modern. The family unit of the old times, was strict, as the family unit was important to the success of everyone in it.

The wife was an important cog in the family, not only because she was the home maker, but she was the backbone of it.

call_me_scar · Answer

If that's how there relationship works and everyone is ok with it then sure be a good obedient girl for your husband but if that's not how someone wants there relationship then that's fine too whatever works for the couple

LazerBean · Answer

Yes, women should submit to their husbands. They should also only date/marry men who have never had premarital sex

Dongie · Answer

That's what He says. I'm sure there is a way to be happy like that. If she's willing.

dustybiker2 · Answer

Submit? Did his vows dissolve when they left the alter? No. Consent is absolute with each person at any time. Man or woman.

Miah04 · Answer

No.

The definition of submit is : accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person.

That is pretty much the definition of slavery.

We would give up our own will to blindly follow our husband's

chrissykerdock · Answer

definitely true

Dargil · Answer

Not as slaves but just cheerful cooperation. No man wants a contrarian/Karen.

AviatorTom · Answer

Yes, and please note that quote works both ways, for the husband and wife.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Yes but she better hope she married a decent loving husband.

ICanSmellTheCosmos · Answer

If she's telling him to man up, and he does, then, yes, she should should follow his lead.

I'm not a fan of rigid gender roles, but quite a high number of (non lesbian) women like their dudes to wear the pants.

Fireguy17 · Answer

you are both equal partners, so no one should have to submit, unless that is how you like to be treated.

Anonymous · Answer

If you mean establish a loyal, committed, trust relationship, and be agreeable and cooperative, sure.

CaliChick94 · Answer

Only if they want to. If I have a husband, I would totally submit to him

DrPepper12 · Answer

Fuck that! I don't want a slave, I want a partner!!!

Anonymous · Answer

I want her to be agreeable, for the most part, but I don't want a robot with no personality or thoughts of her own.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

No, who gives a shit what the Bible says? No one should be “submitting” in a modern relationship

Agape93 · Answer

If that's their choice, sure.

gatixek710 · Answer

yes, they should.

msc545 · Answer

No. This leads ro resentment.

Cheerfull009 · Answer

Wife has more Passion than husband,

Should wives submit to their husbands?

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