Who Should We Subject Ourselves To ?

We continue our study of spiritual authority. Last time we saw the difference betwn subjection and obedience. Now the question is: who do we subject ourselves to. Let's look at the scriptures.

1. Official Authorities should be obeyed as long as what they declare does not violate the will of a higher authority

a) Parents
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey(hupakouo) your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

b) Government leaders
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject(hupotasso) to principalities and powers(exousia), to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

c) Employers
Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient(hupakouo) to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

d) to church leaders – an attitude of submission
1 Corinthians 16:10-11 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

1 Corinthians 16:15-18 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16 That ye submit yourselves (hupotasso) unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

Philippians 2:29-30 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation(value): 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you (proistemi-forefront)in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey(peitho) them that have the rule over you, (hegeomai)and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

2 Corinthians 8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

Clearly the NT exhorts believers to esteem and to give weight to those who work tirelessly in spiritual service. But again, here we see Paul continually refer to the labor of those that should be esteemed. It is merited. Secondly, he never enjoins unconditional obedience but calls for an attitude of hupotasso or a submissive attitude to their instruction.

2 Thess 3:14 If anyone does not obey (hupakouo) our instruction (logos) in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.

One could say in the above scripture , that Paul was enjoining obedience not to his will but what he believed to be the clear will of God as expressed in this letter. The word for instruction used is "logos" which usually relates to the content.


e) Mutual subjection

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit (hupotasso) yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

The Bible teaches mutual subjection, not protective covering. Mutual subjection rests upon the idea that all believers are gifted and can all express Christ. It rests on the concept that the entire Body has been vested with Divine authority-- not just a small section of it.

Matthew 18:15-20 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 16:16-19 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Ephesians 1:19-23 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

As the members of the community discharge their ministries, authority is dispensed through the gifts. We must be open for the Lord to correct us through one another. Mutual submission is subjection to Christ’s authority. When another believer is expressing divine authority in the church, we do well to recognize it and be subject to it. To reject someone’s words when they are expressing divine thought is to reject Divine authority. Love is always open to learn from and listen to what others have to say. At the same time, love is willing to admonish.