Wives, Submit to Your Husbands
Ephesians 5:22 commands wives to submit to their own husbands, as to the Lord. 1 Peter 3:1 applies it even to the wife of a husband who does not obey the word — so that he may be won without a word.
Wives submit to your husbands even if they don’t walk in the way of God. As Ephesians 5:22 states, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” People often manipulate this passage because they simply do not want to submit. They will argue, “Well, I don’t agree with what he’s doing or how he’s leading. I don’t think it’s the way of God.” But Scripture doesn’t ask for your opinion or your permission. Even if you are right, and even if he is objectively failing in his walk, the command stands. 1 Peter 3:1 addresses this exact scenario — the wife with a husband who does not believe or obey the word — and tells her to submit so that he might be won over by her behavior: “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.” People will fight this because they are terrified of suffering for righteousness’ sake. They would rather cling to the control of the situation than trust God’s design. If you think your discernment exempts you from the command, you are only proving that you are doing what is right in your own eyes rather than what is right in God’s.
Scriptures Referenced (KJV)
2 key passages from the King James Version (KJV).
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:22 KJV Read Ephesians chapter 5 →
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;”
1 Peter 3:1 KJV — Taming the Tongue Read 1 Peter chapter 3 →
Read These Passages in Full Context
Frequently Asked Questions About Wives, submit to your husbands in the Bible
- What does the Bible say about wives, submit to your husbands?
- Ephesians 5:22 commands wives to submit to their own husbands, as to the Lord. 1 Peter 3:1 applies it even to the wife of a husband who does not obey the word — so that he may be won without a word. Key KJV passages: Ephesians 5:22, 1 Peter 3:1.
- What are the best Bible verses about wives, submit to your husbands?
- The most important KJV passages on wives, submit to your husbands include: Ephesians 5:22, 1 Peter 3:1. Read all 2 passages free at The Living Sword Bible — no account, no ads.
- Where in the Bible does it talk about wives, submit to your husbands?
- The Bible addresses wives, submit to your husbands throughout both Testaments. Key references include Ephesians 5:22, 1 Peter 3:1. Explore every passage in context at thelivingsword.org.
- What does the New Testament say about wives, submit to your husbands?
- New Testament scriptures on wives, submit to your husbands: Ephesians 5:22, 1 Peter 3:1. Read them free at The Living Sword Bible.
- How do I study Bible verses about wives, submit to your husbands?
- The Living Sword Bible app offers word-by-word study with original Hebrew and Greek, multiple translations (KJV, World English Bible, Geneva Bible, Young's Literal, ASV, Darby), cross-references, and an AI companion that answers only from Scripture. Read all 2 passages on wives, submit to your husbands at thelivingsword.org — free, no account, no download required.
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Available translations: King James Version (KJV), World English Bible (WEB), Geneva Bible 1599, Darby Translation, Young's Literal Translation (YLT), American Standard Version (ASV), and the Living Sword Translation.