Mary’s CliffNotes on Authority & Submission (Part 1)

After last week’s church service, Brent and I joined a group of acquaintances bantering in the foyer. Suddenly, one man noticed the flaming red blister at the base of my thumb -obviously rubbed raw by gripping the handle of a tool.  “Hey Brent,” he kidded, “have you been abusing your wife?”

To understand the context of his question, you need to know that we had just heard a presentation from the International Justice Mission on how their organization was seeking to curb human rights violations. In Africa, for example, women are forced to work as slaves in debtor prisons, swinging sledge hammers to crush rocks.

Anyhow, the lady beside me started snickering and extended her hand to display a big red blister in exactly the same spot. She had apparently spent the previous day – the first warm day of spring – doing the same thing as me… raking leaves in her backyard.

The entire group burst out laughing at our identical wounds and someone cackled, “They’re raking slaves!”

The man winked at me and told Brent, “Well I’m glad to see you’re keeping your wife in a subordinate position!”

He was just trying to be funny, or maybe trying to get a reaction out of me (which I didn’t give him the satisfaction of) but I must admit that the comment irked me nonetheless… Partly because it smacked of male chauvinism, (feigned, I hope), but mostly because the whole interchange reflected such stereotypical misconceptions about authority and submission. Namely, that the authority of a husband over his wife makes her his slave; that authority is inherently abusive; and that a husband has the right to force his wife to be subordinate against her will.

In order to understand how authority and submission are supposed to work in marriage, it’s important to first have an overall understanding of what biblical authority and submission are all about. Too often, we get all emotional about the “S-Word” without having a clue as to why and how submission (and more importantly, authority) function in the larger scheme of things. God’s view on authority and submission is radically different than the world’s. That’s why I’ve put together the following CliffNotes overview of the Bible’s teaching on the topic:

Mary’s CliffNotes on Authority and Submission:

Part One:  10 Biblical Truths about Authority

1. God the Father is the ultimate authority. All authority rests with Him and originates from Him.

• He is “the head of all rule and authority.” Colossians 2:10
• His is the “majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.” Jude 25
• “My Father is greater than all” John 10:29
• “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1
• Authority is “God appointed” Romans 13:2
• “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

2. There is an eternal authority structure within the Godhead.

• “the Father is greater than I (Jesus)” John 14:28
• “the head of Christ is God.” 1 Corinthians 11:3
• “I (Christ) do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” John 8:28 (See also John 5:30; 12:49; 14:10)
• The Spirit…”will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak.” John 16:13
• “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father” John 15:26

3. Authority and equality are compatible concepts. Christ, though equal with God, is under the authority of God the Father.

• Christ Jesus “who, was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.. but humbled himself by becoming obedient.” Philippians 2:6-8
• “Although he was a son, he learned obedience” Hebrews 5:8
• “I seek to do the will of him who sent me.” John 5:30
• “Not my will, but your will be done.” Matthew 26:39 (also Matthew 26:42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42)
• “He was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” John 5:7
• ”All that the Father has is mine” John 16:15

4. Godly authority is:

A. Humble (Not arrogant or puffed up)

• “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble.” Matthew 21:5
• Ungodly authorities “want to be called Benefactors” (A term used to describe gods or heroes) Luke 2:25
• Ungodly authorities “love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.” Matthew 23:6-7
• “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11; 18:14; Matthew 18:4; 23:12; James 4:6)
• “He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” Luke 1:52

B. Self-Giving (Not selfish)

• “The one who rules [is to be] like one who serves” Matthew 20:27; Luke 22:26
• “The greatest among you shall be your servant” Mark 10:43; Matthew 20:25; 23:11
• “As Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” Ephesians 5:25, 2
• “But I (Jesus) am among you as the one who serves” Luke 22:27
• “God so loved the world that he gave…” John 3:16

C. Loving (Not domineering, tyrannical or dictatorial)

• His “throne will be established in steadfast love” Isaiah 16:3
• Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. Proverbs 20:28
• “Not domineering over those in your charge.” 1 Peter 5:3
• “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy” 2 Corinthians 1:24
• Ungodly authorities “Lord it over them”

D. Gentle & Merciful (Not harsh)

• “His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.” Luke 1:50
• “Meekness and gentleness of Christ” 2 Cor. 10:1
• “I am gentle and lowly in heart “(Matt. 11:29)
• “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench” Matthew 12:20
• “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love… good to all.” Psalm 145:8-9
• The kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings.” 1 Kings 20:31

E. Righteous & Just

• “I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:24
• “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne” Psalm 89:14
• “It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.” Proverbs 16:12
• “The Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice” Psalm 9:4
• “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come. Therefore, rejoice O heavens and you who dwell in them! Revelation 12:10-12

5. Godly authority is DELEGATED, not taken upon oneself. God delegates authority so that others may act in His Name, and on His behalf.  He delegates authority to:

A.  His Son:

• Christ said, “I myself have received authority from my Father.” Revelation 2:27
• “I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:18
• Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18 (Also John 17:2; Acts 2:36; John 5:27)
• “God exalted [Christ] at his right hand as Leader and Savior” Acts 5:31
• Christ was “designated by God” Hebrews 5:10
• God seated Christ at his right hand “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.” Ephesians 1:21
• “with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:22
• “All things have been handed over to me by my Father” Matthew 11:27

B.  Supernatural Beings:

• He gave the angels “their own position of authority” Jude 6
• “the angel who has authority over the fire” Revelation 14:18
• “another angel… having great authority” Revelation 18:1

C.  Mankind:

• “let them have dominion” “subdue the earth and have dominion” Genesis 1:26-28
• they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” Matthew 9:8
• “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” John 19:11
• “Our authority, which the Lord gave” 2 Corinthians 10:8
• “to him I will give authority over the nations” Revelation 2:26
• “God has set you on his throne as King for the Lord your God” 2 Chronicles 9:8
• “No one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God” Hebrews 5:4

6. Every authority answers to a higher authority, and all answer to God the Father. God is greatly offended at the misuse/abuse of authority.

• “I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.” Matthew 8:8-9
• “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power…But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
• “They are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account” Hebrews 13:17
• “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” James 3:1

7. Authority can be re-delegated. (for good or evil)

• “He called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority” Matthew 10:1 (Mark 3:15; 6:7; Luke 10:19)
• “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 10:21
• “I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom” Luke 22:29
• “These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast” Revelation 17:13
• Satan said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.” (Through the fall, mankind delivered its authority to Satan)

8. The Purpose of Authority:

A. To display the glory of God

(Authority & Submission reflect the character and nature of the Triune God)

• “So God created man in his own image; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
• My Sons and Daughters “created for my glory” Isaiah 43:6-7
• “The Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” Isaiah 60:2-3
• “We all…beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord” 2 Corinthians 3:18
• “The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true” John 7:18

B. To display the glory of the Gospel

(Authority & submission are the foundation of the Gospel)

• “Although he was a son, he learned obedience … he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” Hebrews 5:8-9
• “You have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him” John 17:2
• “God exalted him … as Leader and Savior, to give repentance … and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31
• “According to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith” Romans 16:26-27
• “The church submits to Christ… Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her … This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the Church.” Ephesians 5:22-33

C. To enable people to humbly and self-sacrificially serve as God’s representatives

• “the authorities are ministers of God” Romans 13:6
• Authorities are” the servant of God” Romans 13:4
• “Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves” Luke 22:26
• “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

D. To Be a Channel of God’s righteousness, blessing and protection

• “He has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness” 2 Chronicles 9:8
• Rulers are to “punish those who do evil and praise those who do good” 1 Peter 2:14
• The authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down” 2 Corinthians 13:10
• The one in authority “is God’s servant for your good” Romans 13:4
• He “manages” his household well 1 Timothy 3:12
• “they are keeping watch over your souls” Hebrews 13:17
• “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy” 2 Corinthians 1:24
• “The Master set him over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time” Luke 12:42
• “He who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat… He will guide them to springs of living water.” Revelation 7:12

9. Rebellion against/neglect of God’s authority (and rightful delegated authority) is sin.

• “You (Satan) said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high… I will make myself like the Most High. But you are brought down to Sheol.” Isaiah 14:13-15
• “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day… yet in like manner these people also… reject authority.” Jude 6-8
• For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Romans 8:7
• The Lord “keeps the unrighteous under punishment until the Day of Judgment, especially those who… despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble…” 2 Peter 2:9-11
• “Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.” 3 John 9
• “We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.” Daniel 9:5
• “An evil man seeks only rebellion.” Proverbs 17:11
• “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and arrogance as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:23
• “Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:2

10. Issues of authority and submission are at the epicenter of the cosmic battle.

• “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
• “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” 1 Corinthians 15:2
• “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”…”We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” Revelation 11:15-17

Read PART 2 of Mary’s CliffNotes on Authority & Submission

© Mary A. Kassian



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