What does "reverence for Christ" mean in Ephesians 5:21? Seeing the Phrase in Its Setting Ephesians 5:21—“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” • “Submit” (hypotassō) points to willingly arranging oneself under another’s good. • “Out of reverence” (phobos) speaks of awe-filled, worshipful respect. • “For Christ” places Jesus Himself as the motive and standard. Together, the verse calls believers to mutual, voluntary yielding because Jesus is worthy of deepest honor. What ‘Reverence for Christ’ Means • Awe-inspired worship—recognizing Christ’s sovereignty (Colossians 1:15-18). • Holy fear—not terror, but a sober awareness that He is Lord, Judge, and Savior (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). • Eager obedience—doing what pleases Him because we love and esteem Him (John 14:15). • Humble surrender—setting aside self-assertion in deference to His will (Luke 22:42). Why Reverence Produces Mutual Submission • Christ Himself submitted to the Father (Philippians 2:5-8); honoring Him means imitating His self-emptying. • Every believer is part of His body (Ephesians 5:30); honoring the Head requires caring for each member. • True worship reshapes relationships—if Jesus is supreme, personal status loses importance (Romans 12:10). Practical Expressions in Everyday Life • In marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33): husbands love sacrificially; wives respect freely—to lift up Christ, not self. • In the church (1 Peter 5:5): younger and older alike clothe themselves with humility. • In the workplace (Colossians 3:22-24): workers and masters treat each other justly, mindful that “you are serving the Lord Christ.” • In daily speech (Ephesians 4:29): words build up because they’re spoken before the all-hearing Savior. Guardrails That Protect Reverence • Constant remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:24-26). • Ongoing filling with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-19) who magnifies Jesus. • Regular self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) so pride is confessed and replaced with humility. • Delight in Scripture (Psalm 119:161), where reverence is cultivated by truth. Resulting Blessings • Unity that displays God’s wisdom (John 17:23). • Relationships marked by peace, not power struggles (Romans 14:19). • A credible witness to a watching world (Matthew 5:16). • Deep personal joy—“Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11) In Short Reverence for Christ is worshipful awe that moves the heart to obey, imitate, and honor Jesus in every interaction. When that awe rules us, mutual submission becomes a glad act of devotion, showcasing the greatness of our Savior. |
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