Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Submission?

13 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Submission in the Bible

Discover 11 powerful Bible verses about submission. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential character & virtues topic.

13
Total Verses
0
Old Testament
13
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Submission

  1. 1
    Matthew 26:39
    And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Matthew 26:42
    He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Mark 14:36
    And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Luke 22:42
    Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. willing, remove: Gr. willing to remove
    KJV
  5. 5
    Romans 8:7
    Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. the carnal: Gr. the minding of the flesh
    KJV
  6. 6
    1 Corinthians 16:7
    For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Ephesians 5:21
    Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Ephesians 5:22
    Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Ephesians 5:24
    Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
    KJV
  10. 10
    Ephesians 5:25
    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
    KJV

Subtopics of Submission

submission to authority
submission to god
submission to human authority
submission to the lord
To authority
Jesus an example of
Of Paul
To authority, Jesus an example of

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Submission? (13 Verses)

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. willing, remove: Gr. willing to remove
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. the carnal: Gr. the minding of the flesh
For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. have: or, guide
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Submission

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about submission. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about submission and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about submission is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on submission needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about submission with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about submission, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Submission?

You have studied 13 verses about submission. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about submission?
Discover 11 powerful Bible verses about submission. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential character & virtues topic. The Bible contains 13 key verses about submission spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about submission are there?
There are 13 key Bible verses about submission compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about submission?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about submission is Matthew 26:39 — "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as..."
Where in the Bible does it talk about submission?
Submission is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 13 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

Continue Studying Submission

Topics Included

This page consolidates Bible verses from 2 related topics:

submission