Colossians 3 18

Colossians 3:18 kjv

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Colossians 3:18 nkjv

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Colossians 3:18 niv

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Colossians 3:18 esv

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Colossians 3:18 nlt

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.

Colossians 3 verses

Colossians 3 18 Meaning

Colossians 3:18 instructs Christian wives to voluntarily place themselves under the authority of their own husbands, an action considered fitting and proper within the context of their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This "submission" (hupotassō) signifies an ordered arrangement and willing cooperation, rather than servile inferiority, guided by reverence for Christ and in acknowledgement of the divine design for the household. It is a specific application of the broader principle of Christian order and respect, enabling harmony and effective functioning within the Christian family.

Colossians 3 18 Context

Colossians 3:18 is part of the "household codes" (Col 3:18-4:1) found in many New Testament epistles. These codes, or Haustafeln, were common in Hellenistic society and provided guidance on duties within the family and household structure. In Colossians, this section immediately follows Paul's instructions for Christian living in light of their new identity in Christ. Having urged believers to "put off" the old sinful self (Col 3:5-11) and "put on" the new, virtues of Christ (Col 3:12-17), he now applies these principles to specific relational roles: wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters. This practical application demonstrates how the new life "in Christ" transforms daily interactions, contrasting with the often harsh or inequitable societal norms of the Roman world. The commands are given "in the Lord," emphasizing that these actions flow from their union with Christ and contribute to the demonstration of His reign within their lives.

Colossians 3 18 Word analysis

• Wives (γυναῖκες - gynaikos): The plural vocative form directly addresses the women within the household. In the original context, wives (and indeed, households) in the Roman world often lacked rights and were subservient to the paterfamilias. The NT teaching introduces a new dignity and agency by directly addressing the wife and giving her an ethical injunction, framing it within a reciprocal household structure where the husband also has duties.
• Submit yourselves (ὑποτάσσεσθε - hypotassesthe): This is a present middle/passive imperative verb, meaning "be subject" or "submitting yourselves." The root tassō means "to arrange, put in order." The prefix hypo means "under." Thus, it conveys a voluntary act of ordering oneself under someone, or allowing oneself to be arranged under another's leadership. It's not a military command demanding blind obedience or implying inferiority of essence, but rather a functional alignment within a designated structure for mutual benefit and order. This is a choice of loving respect for an appointed role, not passive victimhood.
• to your own husbands (τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν - tois idiois andrasin): The phrase "your own" (idiois) emphasizes the particularity and intimacy of the marital relationship. This instruction applies specifically to a wife in relation to her husband, differentiating it from submission to all men or to husbands who are not their own.
• as is fitting (ὡς ἀνῆκεν - hōs anēken): This phrase suggests propriety, suitability, or what is due. It implies that such submission is not arbitrary or based on human tradition alone, but aligns with an inherent spiritual or created order. It is an appropriate response within the Christian framework of relationships. It removes any notion that this is a command without reason or a burden without purpose.
• in the Lord (ἐν Κυρίῳ - en Kyriō): This crucial phrase defines the sphere and motivation for the submission. It means "within the sphere of Christ's authority/influence" or "because of your relationship with the Lord." This submission is not born out of fear, cultural expectation, or the husband's merit, but out of obedience and reverence for Christ Himself. It implies limits; a wife is not called to submit to a command that would require her to sin against Christ or violate her Christian conscience. This phrase elevates the submission from a mere social custom to a sacred duty undertaken out of love and devotion to Christ.

Words-group Analysis

• "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands": This addresses wives directly and empowers them by giving them an action to take, implying agency and moral responsibility. The focus on "own husbands" underlines the exclusive, covenantal nature of marriage, ensuring this is not a general subjugation but a relational posture within marriage.
• "as is fitting in the Lord": This entire phrase serves as both a theological foundation and a practical qualifier. "As is fitting" appeals to inherent rightness and good order. "In the Lord" clarifies the ultimate authority and motivation. This framework transforms a potentially oppressive command into a dignified Christian discipline. It places the relationship within the divine purpose, protecting it from cultural abuses of power.

Colossians 3 18 Bonus section

• The household codes in Colossians and Ephesians were revolutionary in their time, not in prescribing a novel social structure (as hierarchy was common) but in injecting Christian ethics into established structures. They demanded ethical transformation from both parties in relationships (husband/wife, parent/child, master/slave), uniquely addressing those in positions of authority as well as those under authority. This was distinct from mere Roman civic virtue or Stoic teaching, which tended to focus solely on the responsibilities of the "lower" party or for the sake of societal stability, rather than for the spiritual health of all participants "in the Lord."
• The New Testament concept of submission (hypotassomai) is fundamentally about ordering for the purpose of harmony and mission, much like instruments in an orchestra submit to the conductor to create beautiful music, or different members of the body submit to the head for coordinated function (1 Cor 12). It implies a trust in the divinely ordained roles and an unselfish devotion to the overall well-being of the unit, rather than rigid hierarchy based on power.
• "In the Lord" serves as a protective qualifier against ungodly demands. A wife's submission is contingent on the husband's leadership remaining "in the Lord." If a husband commands sin or violates Christian principles, a wife's primary loyalty remains with Christ, setting a boundary for the nature and extent of submission.
• This verse assumes a covenantal, loving marriage between two believers. Its principles might need careful application in complex scenarios or unequally yoked marriages, where the ultimate standard remains fidelity to Christ and His Word.

Colossians 3 18 Commentary

Colossians 3:18 is a concise yet profound statement on the Christian wife's role within marriage. It is not an isolated command but is embedded within Paul's holistic vision for Christ-centered living. The instruction for wives to "submit themselves" is a voluntary act, empowered by the Spirit, reflecting the broader principle of humility and orderly arrangement found throughout the New Testament (Eph 5:21). This is a qualitative submission, not based on inherent inferiority, but on a functional recognition of the husband's headship, established in creation and affirmed by Christ's leadership in the church (Eph 5:23).

The "fitting in the Lord" clause is vital, providing both the motivation and the boundary for this submission. It transforms the act from a secular or patriarchal imposition into an act of worship and obedience to Christ. A wife's submission is therefore only "fitting" as long as it aligns with the will and character of Christ. It implies a loving deference and a cooperative spirit that facilitates unity and purpose in the marital relationship, aimed at glorifying God. This command, when understood in conjunction with the immediate subsequent command for husbands to "love your wives and do not be harsh with them" (Col 3:19), forms a balanced, reciprocal blueprint for a healthy, Christ-centered marriage that directly challenges the pagan practices of the day while uplifting and dignifying both roles within their respective callings.