On submitting to one another, Paul, in Ephesians 5:22-6:9, is speaking in the context of the rules for social hierarchy or “Household Rules” of Greek society at the time (Ref: Colossians 3:18-4:1, Ephesians 5:22-6:9, 1 Peter 3:1-7, Titus 2:1-8, 1 Timothy 2:9-15). Similar to the Confucian social hierarchies in this part of the world, the Greeks placed the free male at the top of the hierarchy followed by women, children, and slaves. Hence, Paul’s examples of ‘submitting to one another’ reflect a subversion of what people at the time believed about these Greek hierarchical rules. 

Against this backdrop, Ephesians 5:22-33 presents the radical idea that the Christian marriage should reflect the relationship between Jesus and the Church. Jesus has all authority, but He came and gave Himself up for the church (Eph 4:25). In ancient leadership hierarchy, the subjects were expected to give their lives up for the sake of the King. But Jesus sacrificed Himself for the people. As a result, in and because of Christ, our relationships are reframed. Paul calls us to reflect Christ in all our relationships. In Christ, there is no hierarchy, and we can willingly submit to one another.