Question: "Sir, Does the Bible teach that wives must obey their husbands?"

Answer: In Ephesians 5:22, Paul wrote, "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord." (Cf. Colossians 3:18–"Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord"). The language is quite clear, and the element of subordination should be obvious in the term "subject." The underlying concern of the command is that the wife be cared for and have all her needs met. To be subject involves entrusting oneself to another, so that the other is responsible for him or her. But in order for this to occur there must be cooperation. The leadership of the one responsible for the care must be followed in order for the care to be properly administered. In a time when there is so much emphasis upon women’s taking responsibility for themselves, some feel put down by the fact that in God’s plan they are to be someone else’s responsibility. However, if God’s plan suggests anything about women, it is not that they are inferior to men, but rather that they are very important. Let all husbands be worthy of such a sacred trust!