Submission is a theme that frequently appears in the Bible, offering guidance on humility, obedience, and respect in our relationships with God and others.
Do you want to know what the Bible says about submission? Join us on a journey as we explore these verses below.
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Top Bible Verses About Submission
Ephesians 5:21
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
1 Peter 2:13
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority.”
Colossians 3:18
“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
Hebrews 13:17
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
1 Peter 5:5
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
Romans 13:1
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Titus 3:1
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.”
1 Corinthians 16:16
“to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it.”
Ephesians 6:1
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
Submission to God
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Psalm 37:7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”
Job 22:21
“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.”
Submission to Authority
1 Peter 2:18
“Slaves, in reverent fear of God, submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Ecclesiastes 8:2
“Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God.”
1 Peter 2:15
“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”
Daniel 4:17
“The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.”
Submission in Marriage
Ephesians 5:22
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 7:4
“The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.”
1 Peter 3:1
“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.”
Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”
Titus 2:4-5
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
Submission in the Church
1 Corinthians 14:34
“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.”
1 Timothy 2:11
“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.”
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”
Hebrews 13:7
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Acts 20:28
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Submission in Service to Others
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Mark 9:35
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’”
John 13:14
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
Matthew 23:11
“The greatest among you will be your servant.”
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Submission to Parents
Ephesians 6:2-3
“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Proverbs 1:8
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
Proverbs 6:20
“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
Proverbs 23:22
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
Submission to One Another
Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Romans 15:1
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”
Submission to the Spirit
Romans 8:14
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
Galatians 5:16
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
John 16:13
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
1 Corinthians 2:12
“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
Galatians 5:25
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Submission to God’s Will
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Psalm 40:8
“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
Matthew 6:10
“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
1 John 2:17
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
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