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Ephesians 5:21

5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

KJV

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subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

What does Ephesians 5:21 mean?

Ephesians 5:21 is a verse in the book of Ephesians, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include ὑποτάσσω (hupotasso), ἀλλήλων (allelon), ἐν (en). It connects to 40 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

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Submitting
yourselvesὑποτάσσωhupotasso/hoop-ot-as'-so/G5293from 5259 and 5021; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey:--be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.
one
to
anotherἀλλήλωνallelon/al-lay'-lone/G240Genitive plural from 243 reduplicated; one another:--each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with 3326 or 4314).
inἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
the
fearφόβοςphobos/fob'-os/G5401from a primary phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:--be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.
of
God.θεόςtheos/theh'-os/G2316of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

Commentary on Ephesians 5:21

HENRY_FULL · Ephesians 5:21
This chapter contains an account, I. Of the miserable condition of these Ephesians by nature ( ver. 1-3 ) and again, ver. 11, 12 . II. Of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace ( ver. 4-10 ) and again, ver. 13 . III. Of the great and mighty privileges that both converted Jews and Gentiles receive from Christ, ver. 14-22 . The apostle endeavours to affect them with a due sense of the wonderful change which divine grace had wrought in them; and this is very applicable to that great change which the same grace works in all those who are brought into a state of grace. So that we have here a lively picture both of the misery of unregenerate men and of the happy condition of converted souls, enough to awaken and alarm those who are yet in their sins and to put them upon hastening out of that state, and to comfort and delight those whom God hath quickened, with a consideration of the mighty privileges with which they are invested.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Job 1:7

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 1:16

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. The fire: or, A great fire

Job 1:19

And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. from: Heb. from aside, etc

Job 31:7

If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

Psalms 17:14

From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. which are: or, by they: or, their children are full

Isaiah 30:1

Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

Isaiah 57:4

Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,

Jeremiah 23:10Hosea 10:9Matthew 11:19Matthew 12:43Matthew 13:38Luke 11:21Luke 16:8Luke 22:2Luke 22:3Luke 22:31John 7:7John 8:23John 8:44John 12:31John 13:2John 13:27John 14:30John 15:19John 16:11Acts 5:3Romans 12:21 Corinthians 5:101 Corinthians 6:112 Corinthians 4:4Galatians 1:4Ephesians 4:22Ephesians 5:3Ephesians 5:6Ephesians 6:12Colossians 1:21Colossians 3:6Colossians 3:72 Timothy 4:10

Topics

Commandments

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Ephesians 5:21.

1 Peter 2:18

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Mark 4:41

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. they: or, his name shall be called

Matthew 3:9

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Matthew 5:34

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

Frequently asked questions

What does Ephesians 5:21 say?

Ephesians 5:21 (King James Version) reads: "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

Is Ephesians 5:21 in the Old or New Testament?

Ephesians 5:21 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Ephesians.

Reflect

As you read Ephesians 5:21, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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